Press Release: European Neighbourhood Policy: Lebanon

The European Commission on 2 March 2005 took a further step in intensifying relations with Lebanon by presenting a Country Report providing a comprehensive overview of the political and economic situation in Lebanon and the state of its bilateral relations with the European Union. Following the previous recommendation by the Council to develop an Action Plan for Lebanon under the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), this report provided a basis for the development of that plan. It was also thought to serve as a basis for assessing future progress in the EU's relations with Lebanon. With the resignation of the Lebanese Government, and elections scheduled for May 2005, the evolution of the situation there was thought to influence the timing of consultations. The ENP offers the prospect of an increasingly close relationship with the EU, involving a significant degree of economic integration and a deepening of political cooperation.

European Commission: COM(2005): European Neighbourhood Policy, Country Report Lebanon http://ec.europa.eu/comm/world/enp/pdf/country/lebanon_cr_0503.pdf

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