Cyprus: Von der Leyen to Announce Aid for Lebanon to Curb Refugee Flow

A Cypriot official stated today, Tuesday, that "the European Union will provide an economic aid package to Lebanon during a joint visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides to Beirut on Thursday." Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos LeTympiotis said in a statement: "The European Commission President will present an economic aid package to Lebanon." He noted that "discussions will focus on the challenges Lebanon is currently facing and the reforms it needs to achieve stability." The Cypriot government spokesman added: "The implementation of this (package) was initiated by President Christodoulides and the Republic of Cyprus and is tangible evidence of the active role the EU can play in our region." The European Commission President is scheduled to arrive in Cyprus tomorrow, Wednesday, and will head to Beirut accompanied by the Cypriot president on Thursday morning.