The Special Coordinator of the United Nations in Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, affirmed today, Thursday, the importance of implementing financial reforms and resuming negotiations with the International Monetary Fund. Wronecka stated, after her meeting with Lebanese Finance Minister Youssef Khalil, "I would like to express, as always, the UN's support for Lebanon and simultaneously emphasize the importance of implementing financial reforms which we consider to be extremely vital, as well as resuming negotiations with the IMF."
She added, "We discussed the issue of special drawing rights and how to manage them, as well as economic reforms in general, and I now have a clear vision," describing the atmosphere of the meeting as "very productive."
She expressed hope that "the extremely ambitious reform plan would be implemented, as what matters to us is to see progress and alleviate the harsh realities of life for people, especially regarding the electricity and fuel sectors."
According to a statement issued by the Lebanese Ministry of Finance, "financial and economic matters were discussed."
The government of Najib Mikati, which was formed on September 10, assured in its ministerial statement its commitment to "hold parliamentary elections on schedule and conduct municipal and electoral elections," and pledged to resume immediate negotiations with the IMF and commence implementation of reforms in all areas.
