Karl von Wogau MEP, EPP-ED Delegation with Karl von Wogau in Beirut

An EPP-ED delegation headed by EP Vice President Rodi KRATSA MEP and composed by Mr. Ioannis KASOULIDES MEP, former Minister for Foreign Affaires in Cyprus, and M. Karl von WOGAU, President of the EP Subcommittee on Security and Defence met today in Beirut several institutional and political leaders, as well as Lebanese intellectuals.

Lebanese President Michel SLEIMAN received the EPP-ED Delegation to his Palace and Prime Minister Fouad SINIORA to the Government palace. They presented the current political situation and the preparation of the next legislative elections, on 7 June 2009. Answering to a question by the EP Vice President Rodi KRATSA, the Lebanese President declared the Government will discuss on the invitation on international observers to the forthcoming elections. The new electoral law, which foreseen now one day election, introduced minor change but significantly on the way of more transparency. The PM Fouad SINIORA confirmed that a decree could be delivered next weeks.

Mr. Karl von WOGAU and Mr. Ioannis KASOULIDES focused their interventions on the Peace process in Middle East after the war in Gaza and the EU UNIFIL Forces in the South of Lebanon. President and PM confirmed the Lebanese welcomed the useful presence of UN Forces and their role to prevent potential instability for the region after the new war in the Gaza strip. Convinced that an Arab initiative is essential for a stable solution, they stresses that a stronger European commitment in the region will be crucial.

On the general situation in Lebanon, five month before legislative elections, spoke Mr. Patrick LAURENT, Head of the EU Delegation in Beirut, welcoming the delegation in the EU headquarter. The European Commission is fully committed to follow the forthcoming political events in Lebanon and the EC Representative informed on the evolving political landscape as well as on the EC initiatives in Lebanon and in the region.

At the Issam Fares Centre, the EPP-ED delegation met Lebanese representatives of different communities, as well as former ministers, Ambassadors and Intellectuals. Former Lebanese Ambassador in Washington opened the debate introducing the challenges of a multi-religious society, where the institutional structures are conceived to preserve peace and tolerance. Many speakers asked for more European initiatives and to consider Lebanon as an important laboratory for the Dialogue. EPP-ED Delegation declared to be ready to take initiatives for further discussions.

Sunni Mr. Saad HARIRI, Leader of Future Movement and Christian Maronite General Michel Naim AOUN, Leader of Free Patriotic Movement, met the EPP-ED delegation in their respective headquarters and commented the running campaign for the next legislative elections and their commitments to stabilize the country . They declared essential the presence of UN Forces in Lebanon and presented their priorities during next future. They delivered conflicting declarations on the Lebanese political relations.

On Saturday evening, during a working dinner, EPP-ED Delegation met EU Ambassadors, Members of the Lebanese Parliament, Director General of Ministry for Justice and representatives of the Christian Maronite League. (Paolo Licandro)



Paolo Licandro, Karl Von Wogau, Rodi Kratsa, Saad HARIRI, Ioannis Kasoulides, Maroun Karam (president of Christian Maronite League in Belgium)