Lebanon and the European Union opened the EU-Lebanon Joint Monitoring Committee on Thursday to chart strategic cooperation across economic recovery, governance and essential services.
Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri and Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Bisat co-chaired the meeting alongside EU Ambassador Sandra De Waele and Henrike Trautmann, Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the European Commission. Ten Lebanese ministers attended, including those responsible for defence, health, social affairs, energy and agriculture.
The first day focused on EU support for basic services and vulnerable communities across education, healthcare, social protection, and water and wastewater management, with discussions reviewing progress, implementation challenges and opportunities to strengthen cooperation.
Mitri said European support had been crucial for protecting vulnerable communities through successive crises, but that Lebanon must move beyond crisis management toward building sustainable institutions and state capacity. He described the aim as transitioning from crisis management to recovery, recovery to reform, and reform to sustainable development, with international assistance strengthening rather than replacing state function.
The partnership should increasingly serve as a catalyst for investment, economic recovery and job creation rather than humanitarian assistance alone, Mitri said, and should be based on shared priorities and mutual accountability.
De Waele said the committee met at an important moment following political developments in early 2025 and a return to structured policy dialogue. She said the European Union remained ready to support a nationally led reform process, but that direction and political responsibility must remain Lebanese.
Friday's discussions will cover governance and reforms, justice, security, private sector development, employment, agriculture, energy and the environment, as well as future priorities including economic recovery, investment, energy, digital connectivity and skills under the framework of the Pact for the Mediterranean.
The European Union will provide approximately 2.1 billion euros to Lebanon for 2021-2027, including around 1.6 billion euros in development assistance, according to a statement from the EU Delegation.
