A European “roadmap” for “comprehensive and urgent” reforms in Lebanon

The European Union, prompted by a Franco-German initiative, has formulated a “road map” that includes a series of “comprehensive and urgent” reform proposals, as well as other proposals to save Lebanon from total collapse.
The European Union foreign ministers are expected to issue, after their meeting tomorrow (Monday) in Brussels, for the first time in 3 years, the conclusions of the joint position, based on a document presented by Germany to its partners last autumn.
The conclusions seek to “strengthen the personal initiative” led by French President Emmanuel Macron, before his third visit to Beirut before the end of this year, amid the absence of direct coordination with Washington, which continues to adhere to the policy of ” maximum pressure “. The last expression of it was the warnings of the vice chancellor. The American for Near East Affairs, David Hale, during the meetings of the international conference days before, the influence of Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Western diplomatic sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the European conclusions aimed to address “the urgent crisis and prevent collapse, through a series of proposals, leading to the discussion of other issues related to the influence of Iran and ( Hezbollah) “. The European collective position is expected to address all the issues raised, including the “terrible explosion” that shook the port of Beirut on 4 August this year, and “urging the Lebanese government and authorities to fulfill all obligations in question to carry out a fair, impartial and transparent investigation without delay. ” », Before touching the conference dedicated to the support of the Lebanese people organized by the United Nations and France on December 2, to“ adopt the maximum efficiency and transparency possible in the arrival of international aid, and the framework of reform, recovery and reconstruction , under the umbrella and guidelines of the principles of transparency Inclusion and accountability ”.
According to Western sources, European ideas include the Union’s call to the Lebanese authorities to implement the commitments made in the context of the Cedar conference in 2018, and to introduce urgent reforms, based on the agreements reached after the bombing of Beirut by ” leaders of political currents in Lebanon to bridge political differences, in support of necessary reforms.
The European “roadmap” includes a statement to “carry out real and profound economic and administrative reforms, with the aim of restoring the state of economic stability, improving the provision of public services to citizens, addressing the problem of worsening poverty levels, reduce inequality, the sustainability of the public financial movement, restore the credibility of the financial sector and ensure the independence of the Lebanese judiciary, guaranteeing respect for human rights, respect for the rule of law, the fight against Corruption and the achievement of the legitimate aspirations peacefully expressed by the Lebanese people The European Union links its support for the reform process in Lebanon with “ensuring that it remains the exclusive property of the Lebanese people.”
Consequently, the European side urges that talks with the International Monetary Fund be resumed “as soon as possible” and proposes a program for this that includes “the main policy priorities, such as the urgent adoption of the Capital Control Law and the rapid and comprehensive judicial (judicial) audit of the Central Bank of Lebanon, pending action. With the aim of stabilizing the banking sector “, in addition to” the priority of taking key governance measures, including reliable regulation and supervision of the sector electricity, the formation of an anti-corruption committee, the establishment of a public procurement system and other measures related to ensuring tangible change, transparency and full accountability The Lebanese people. ”It is emphasized that” the reform process is comprehensive. “
And while the European side pledges to continue supporting the provisional government, headed by Hassan Diab, to “act at a faster and stricter pace within constitutional limits”, stating that “the reform commitments and challenges facing the Lebanon can only be fully implemented through the presence of an effective government on top of the issue. ” The country. “Therefore, it urges” the urgent formation of a new, credible and responsible government, capable of implementing the necessary reforms as soon as possible. “
At the regional level, Europeans support Lebanon’s efforts to host more than one million Syrians, and the negotiations between Lebanon and Israel on the demarcation of the maritime borders between the two countries, and “advancing rapidly on this path, taking take into account the positive consequences resulting from the successful results of this process on both sides, and on peace and stability. In the region ”, in addition to supporting“ Lebanon’s commitment to policies of self-distancing from all regional conflicts ”, the need for the full implementation of Resolutions (1559), (1701) and (1757), and“ the importance of strengthening the operational capabilities of the Lebanese army ”.