# The European Union Seeks Agreement with Lebanon on Migrants

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides announced that efforts are underway to reach an agreement with Lebanon to prevent further influx of refugees and migrants into the European Union. Christodoulides stated in an interview published on Sunday in Germany that his country wants to assist Lebanon in managing the refugees to avoid additional arrivals in Cyprus. He mentioned plans to travel to Lebanon on May 2 along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to announce a concrete financial package from the EU. However, the Cypriot president confirmed that the package would not only include financial assistance but also support for Lebanese institutions, such as the armed forces, which are seen as a stabilizing factor in the country. Christodoulides described the current situation in Cyprus as critical, with 4,000 migrants arriving since the beginning of this year, compared to only 78 during the first quarter of last year. The European Union had recently reached new cooperation and support agreements with Egypt, Tunisia, and Mauritania, which are expected to provide financial assistance amounting to billions of euros.