Eichhorst Advises Lebanon on Joint Technical Action in Union for the Mediterranean
EU Ambassador to Lebanon Angelina Eichhorst revealed on Tuesday that Premier Najib Miqati discussed with European officials the need to launch joint technical efforts as part of the Union for the Mediterranean.
In an interview published in An Nahar daily on Tuesday, Eichhorst said part of Miqati’s discussions with EU officials during his latest visit to Brussels focused on Lebanon’s role in the union.
Lebanese officials have asked their European counterparts about the added value for Lebanon if it engages in the union’s activities, she said.
The EU officials have stressed that Lebanon should steer the issue clear of politics and focus on joint “technical” cooperation in major projects linked to infrastructure, railroads and electricity, the ambassador added.
But Eichhorst said that Miqati hasn’t made any commitment to the issue. “Maybe he needs some time to discuss the topics with the cabinet and officials.”
“We understand that you have difficulties in the regional network,” she said in reference to the state of war between Lebanon and Israel.
“But we also understand the importance of cooperation on technical issues in the regional framework,” the ambassador added.
The union brings together EU members with states from north Africa, the Balkans, the Arab world and Israel.
It aims to build on the EU's 13-year-old Barcelona process set up for the Mediterranean countries, which was plagued by disputes between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/39481 |