BEIRUT, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon on Wednesday signed a financing package with the European Union (EU) worth 132 million euros (about 153.6 million U.S. dollars), aimed at enhancing security and border management, according to a statement by the Lebanese Ministry of Finance.
Finance Minister Yassine Jaber said the EU funding targets Lebanon's key priorities, including border control, combating smuggling, strengthening the rule of law, and improving the operational capacity of security and administrative institutions.
He added that the agreements were developed based on jointly defined standards that emphasize governance, transparency, integrity, human rights protections, and oversight mechanisms to ensure the effective use of funds.
Jaber said that the Ministry of Finance aims to secure international assistance while ensuring a sound administrative and financial environment for project implementation without imposing additional burdens on the treasury.
EU Ambassador to Lebanon Sandra De Waele noted that 55 million euros will be provided in the first tranche.
She said the support will benefit the Lebanese military and security forces, with programs targeting organized crime, cybercrime, terrorism, and integrated border management on land, at airports, and in the maritime domain. ■
