Beirut: During their joint visit to Beirut, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and President of the European Council, Ant³nio Costa, met with President of the Republic of Lebanon Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, on the first anniversary of President Aoun's nomination, President von der Leyen and President Costa welcomed the decisive steps taken to stabilize Lebanon's security and economy, essential for the country's recovery and reconstruction. They also reiterated their commitment to Lebanon's democratic institutions and stressed the importance of the upcoming legislative elections.
President von der Leyen stated that Europe and Lebanon share deep Mediterranean roots and a long tradition of exchange, dialogue, and cooperation. She emphasized that both regions share a common goal of ensuring stability, security, and prosperity for their people. The EU stands ready to launch discussions on a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership with Lebanon once conditions allow, highlighting the importance of progress on key reforms, including banking sector reform and the modernization of state institutions.
The EU expressed its readiness to support Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasizing the importance of upholding these principles. The EU continues to support Lebanon's key security institutions, including the Lebanese Armed Forces, the Internal Security Forces, and the General Security. President von der Leyen stressed the importance of ensuring that non-state armed groups are fully disarmed across the country's territory and that diplomatic solutions are essential for lasting regional stability. The implementation and respect of the 27 November 2024 ceasefire agreement remain pivotal in this context.
In December 2025, the EU and Lebanon held the ninth EU-Lebanon Association Council in Brussels, reviewing their bilateral relations and reaffirming their commitment to deepening their partnership. The EU announced a pound 1 billion package in May 2024 to support Lebanon's stability, recovery, and reforms, with the first half already adopted for 2024-2025, focusing on basic services, security, governance reforms, and sustainable recovery. The second half of the package for 2026-2027 is currently under preparation.