Brussels: Europe and the Arabs 
Today, Thursday, Mr. Janez Lenarčić, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, receives Mr. Elias Al-Bisri, Director General of Public Security in Lebanon. According to what was announced by the executive body of the European Union, the Lebanese official is expected to discuss issues related to the current developments in Lebanon, the repercussions of the regional situation, and the file of the displaced. 
Earlier this month, Al-Bisari received the Belgian ambassador to Lebanon, Koen Vervak, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, and discussed with him the schedule of his meetings with a number of Belgian and European officials during his visit to Brussels. The Lebanese security official said in previous statements, “We are preparing a study.” Comprehensive of the file of displaced Syrians, it will be detailed and will be presented at the conference that will discuss the file of displaced Syrians in Brussels next month.
It is noteworthy that at the beginning of this month, the President of the European Commission, Ursula Wanderlein, during her visit to Beirut, accompanied by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, discussed the major local and regional challenges facing Lebanon, and the best ways in which the European Union can support the country and its people.
She announced that the European Union will provide a financial aid package to Lebanon worth one billion euros for the period extending from the current year until 2027.
This continued support from the European Union will strengthen basic services such as education, social protection and health for the Lebanese people. It will also keep pace with urgent economic, financial and banking reforms. Furthermore, support will be provided to the Lebanese Army and other security forces in the form of equipment and training for border management and combating smuggling.
President Vonderlein said, “My visit is a strong testimony to the European Union’s continued support for Lebanon and its people. This was also the clear message to European leaders at our recent summit, and they are committed to providing significant financial support to the country in light of the significant challenges it faces.” She added, "The amount of one billion euros until 2027 will provide the assistance that the Lebanese people desperately need and contribute to their security and stability."
The visit of European Commission President Ursula Wanderlein to Lebanon came in the wake of the special meeting of the European Council on April 17 and 18, where the Council affirmed the European Union’s determination to support the most vulnerable people in Lebanon, including refugees, internally displaced people, and host communities, as well as strengthening the support provided to the forces. The Lebanese Armed Forces, and combating human trafficking and smuggling. The European Council also reiterated the need to create appropriate conditions for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Syrian refugees, as defined by the Commission.
EU support will focus on:
- Support basic services such as education, health, social protection and water for the most vulnerable groups in Lebanon, including refugees, internally displaced people and host communities;
- Assistance with urgent domestic reforms, especially reforms requested by the International Monetary Fund, including in the banking sector, which contributes to improving the economic situation and business environment;
- Supporting border and immigration management, including combating human trafficking and smuggling, and enhancing support provided to the Lebanese Army.
Since 2011, EU support to Lebanon has reached more than €3 billion, including €2.6 billion to support Syrian refugees and host communities in Lebanon.