EU, Lebanon to develop bilateral partnership

The European Union and Lebanon Wednesday held their sixth Association Council meeting in Brussels to take stock of the achievements EU-Lebanon partnership and to define joint priorities for future cooperation. An EU statement noted that It was also an opportunity to exchange views on the developments in Lebanon and the European Union, as well as on the situation in the Middle East region. "The European side reiterated the EU's commitment to Lebanon's unity, stability, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly given the deteriorating situation in Syria," said the statement For its part, the Lebanese delegation stressed the importance of developing bilateral relations towards more tangible results for the business community and the citizens, and highlighted the importance of stepping up cooperation in all fields. Lebanon also reiterated its determination to advance the implementation of its reform agenda with the support of the EU. The two sides also discussed the new Action Plan which will guide EU-Lebanon cooperation in the years 2013-2015. The EU-Lebanon Association Agreement came into force in 2006. Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour and Minister of Economy and Trade Nicolas Nahhas participated on behalf of Lebanon, while the Cypriot foreign minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis and EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighourhood Policy Stefan Fule represented the EU side. Cyprus holds the current EU Presidency.