The European Union Ambassador to Lebanon, Ralph Tarraf, has said that the action plan put forward by Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s government deserved support.
His remarks came following a meeting between Mikati and the ambassadors of EU countries in Beirut on Tuesday.
The prime minister discussed with the diplomats and representatives of the European Union missions in Lebanon, recent developments and the government’s plan to address the deteriorating situation, in addition to cooperation between Lebanon and the EU, according to a statement by Mikati’s office.
“We are grateful, as ambassadors of the European Union countries, to have met with Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who explained to us the priorities of his government’s program that are in line with the ministerial statement,” Tarraf said, expressing the European Union’s willingness to support the government’s action plan.
He continued: “We particularly encourage the government in its efforts to address the economic crisis that the country is passing through, and the European Union will always stand by Lebanon.”
In response to a question about whether they were confident that the government would be on the right track, Tarraf replied: “So far, we have no indication that it will not be on the right track, and we will follow the issue closely.”
While he emphasized that good intentions cannot alone achieve development, based on the experience with the previous government, Tarraf said: “According to our view and based on what we heard from PM Mikati and the ministerial statement… there is something worthy of support.”
