EU will be driving force in Lebanon reconstruction
The European Union today vowed to be a driving force in the reconstruction of Lebanon, saying it had credibility from all sides of the conflict.
“Finding a comprehensive political solution to the conflict in the Middle East and the reconstruction soon to begin are a test of the European Union’s external policy,” said Finnish trade and development minister Paula Lehtomaki in Helsinki. Finland currently holds the EU presidency.
“The EU has the possibility to play a key role, both in humanitarian assistance and reconstruction, and in finding a political solution, because the EU is the only international actor that has credibility in the eyes of all parties to the conflict,” said Lehtomaki, who returned yesterday from a trip to Lebanon and Israel.
She said EU members and its executive Commission had jointly pledged €115m in humanitarian aid to Lebanon.
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