Joint press point by Martin Schulz and Tammam Saeb Salam, Prime Minister of Lebanon (full version)

• published: 04 Dec 2014
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EN - Joint press point by Martin SCHULZ, EP President and Tammam Saeb SALAM, Prime Minister of Lebanon, following their meeting at the European Parliament - FULL version - 02.12.2014 - Brussels. Martin SCHULZ, President of the EP: "I would like to present my thanks and my gratitude for our exchange. It was very impressive to listen to what you had said about the situation in the country. Ladies and gentleman, I want to honour the enormous contribution of your country, of your citizens, to manage the problems of 1,2 million Syrians in your country coming from your neighbour country. This is more than 25% of citizens of your own country, and you are solving not only a Lebanese or Syrian problem. This is a worldwide problem, this is also a European problem. Therefore, you can count here on the EP, on the support of our institution for the necessary solutions, and for the support you deserve and you need. (...) Thanks you very much and good luck also for the management of the challenges ahead, the election of a President. I have just learned a lot, how difficult it is, and how serious your commitment is to find the necessary solutions." Tammam Saeb SALAM, Prime Minister of Lebanon: "I also discussed with President Schulz this fear effect resulting from the Syrian refugees' crisis in Lebanon, which is the country most effective both in relative and absolute terms. I thank President Schulz for the efforts deployed by the EU, both in terms of development and of the humanitarian funds. I assured him that supporting Lebanon at this particular juncture, goes beyond supporting a country facing tremendous challenges to supporting a modern and founding philosophy of coexistence, tolerance, diversity, and openness, all much needed for the future of our region. (...) In this spirit, we have also discussed the peace process and the situation in Palestine where the frustration resulting from Israeli settlement activities and confiscation of Palestinian land coupled with lack of any horizon for a serious political process. All this is adding up and causing alarming instability in the region, inviting more extremism at the expense of much needed moderation." © Frédérick Moulin 2014 - EU2014 - All rights reserved.