Plassnik: New era in relations with Lebanon – EU Presidency press release/Non-UN document (excerpts)

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Plassnik: "New era in relations with Lebanon"

Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik at the first EU-Lebanon Association Council

 

Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik attended the first meeting of the EU-Lebanon Association Council on Tuesday in her function as Council Presidency.

“This first Association Council meeting with Lebanon heralds a new era in our bilateral relations. The association agreement that entered into force on 1 April and the future action plan under the European neighbourhood policy will establish a solid basis for closer cooperation between the EU and Lebanon. The subcommittees provided for in the agreement will be important forums for constructive dialogue. The planned human rights subcommittee is particularly significant in our view, as it will contribute to greater protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Lebanon", Plassnik said.

The EU supports the 'national dialogue' of the parties and faith communities in Lebanon, the aim of which is to consolidate democracy, independence and the territorial integrity of the country. According to Foreign Minister Plassnik "this dialogue must be continued in order to resolve the questions of national importance still outstanding and to underpin political stability". The question of the disarming and disbanding of all militias is particularly important in this context.

"The EU welcomes the activity of the international commission investigating the assassination of the former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and other politically motivated attacks committed since October 2004. We expect all parties in Lebanon and beyond to cooperate fully with the UN commission to enable these crimes to be cleared up as quickly as possible", Plassnik declared.