Hariri Assures EU Envoys on Dissociation Policy, CEDRE Reforms
Prime Minister Saad Hariri on Wednesday stressed Lebanon's commitment to the policy of disassociation from “all the tensions and fires” in the region and to the reforms recommended by the CEDRE Lebanon support conference.
Hariri's remarks were voiced during a meeting with the ambassadors of the European Union in the region, in the presence of the Head of the EU Delegation to Lebanon Ambassador Christina Lassen, on the sidelines of their participation in the annual conference of EU ambassadors, held in Lebanon this year.
At the beginning of the meeting, Hariri explained the general situation in Lebanon and the plans of the government, especially in terms of reforms, economic advancement and the implementation of CEDRE decisions. He stressed the need for concerted efforts to enable the government to achieve this. He also expressed his appreciation of the role of the European Union in assisting Lebanon and the role it plays in helping to shoulder the burden of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
He said: “Without this assistance, Lebanon could not have carried all these burdens, and it still needs more help.” He underlined the importance of the return of the displaced Syrians to their country and to alleviate their suffering, asserting that their return should not constitute a new suffering for them.
He added: “The European Union helped Lebanon convene the CEDRE Conference and the government is fully committed to implementing the reforms adopted by the conference very soon.”
Hariri also stressed the need to combat extremism in the region.
He said: “The level of extremism has started to decline in the region, and I never doubted our ability to fight extremism and succeed in that, but we must know and address the causes of its origin. Today, the region is witnessing commitment to moderate Islamic thought. The meeting between Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar in the United Arab Emirates came in this context, and this is a path we encourage. The European Union should play a role in this respect by promoting moderation in the region and the world. Anyone who uses religion or extremism in politics will fail because politics should exclusively serve citizens and nation-building.”
Hariri also called for more European investments in Lebanon in various fields, particularly in energy, water, technology, infrastructure, education and health, saying this supports the work of Lebanese institutions.
Hariri concluded by reiterating his government's commitment to supporting the role of women in political life. He pointed out that the presence of four women ministers in the government, including the Minister of Interior, shows that “we want to continue this path.”
