French presidential envoy Pierre Dukan is scheduled to arrive in Beirut on Wednesday to devise the practical measures for the implementation of the CEDRE conference pledges.
The dispatching of the envoy reflects France’s satisfaction with the formation of the Lebanese government, whose delayed birth had raised serious concerns over the implementation of the Paris-sponsored agreement.
Dukan will kick of his visit by holding talks with President Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Saad Hariri, said a diplomatic source in Beirut. He will also meet with ministers whose ministries have projects included in the CEDRE conference.
CEDRE was held in Paris on April 6 and presented long-term economic developments projects for Lebanon.
Dukan’s plan of action in Lebanon will focus on infrastructure projects presented by the Lebanese government. He will also set priorities in order to finance these projects and then “carry out needed reforms,” said the source.
The envoy had held talks last year with concerned officials during which they agreed on placing mechanisms to follow up on the CEDRE conference pledges.
They formed a Lebanese coordination team and another comprised of representatives of countries that took part in the conference, as well as donor agencies.
The two teams will hope to draft a vision that is “beyond strategic,” said Dukan.
