Plassnik: “Lebanon’s political development on the right road” – EU Foreign Ministers’ meeting – EU Presidency press release/Non-UN document (excerpts)

Plassnik: "Lebanon’s political development on the right road"

Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik met the President of Lebanon’s Council of Ministers Fouad Siniora today, Monday, for an exchange of views on the political situation in Lebanon.

"My EU colleagues and I welcome the Lebanese Government’s latest consolidation efforts. The national dialogue launched at the beginning of the month is a positive step. We therefore hope there will be further progress and that all the parties will continue with determination on this road", Plassnik said.

"We welcome the latest report on the assassination of the former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri by the UN International Investigation Commission under Serge Brammertz, mandated by UN Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1595. We also call for the full implementation of all the relevant Security Council resolutions”, she continued.

"We look forward to more intensive cooperation between the European Union and Lebanon in the coming months: the Association Agreement will enter into force in April and an Association Council is scheduled for 11 April 2006", Foreign Minister Plassnik concluded.