Preparations are still underway for the joint visit of Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Lebanon next Thursday, to discuss several files, the most prominent of which is the issue of Syrian displaced persons. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has prepared a set of reports related to the files of the Cypriot-European joint delegation, which were subjects of discussion in Athens, where Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib visited recently. The most significant visit was that of the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, who held in-depth discussions with the participation of the EU Ambassador to Beirut, Sandra De Wal, regarding the Syrian displacement issue and what assistance and diplomatic steps the EU can provide to support Lebanon's difficult situation.
The Cypriot President had already set the stage for his new visit to Lebanon next Thursday alongside von der Leyen, following his previous visit on April 8th, to announce an "initiative to reach an agreement that includes a larger financial package than before from the European Union to deal with the refugees they do not wish to have enter the member states." This will also include "support for institutions such as the Lebanese Armed Forces, as part of a long-term plan." Cyprus had paved the way for the visit through a diplomatic campaign that involved the Cypriot Minister of Interior visiting countries like Denmark, the Czech Republic, and Greece last week to promote and advocate for his country's initiative within the European Union "to classify some areas within Syria."
