Industry Minister Wael Abou Faour met with European Union Ambassador Christina Lassen and discussed with her the relations between Lebanon and the European nations, as well as means to increase exports to Europe through boosting the Lebanese productive and competitive capabilities.
Abu Faour briefed Ambassador Laassen on the protectionist measures taken by the Lebanese government, adding that they are aimed "to strengthen the Lebanese industry, stabilize it and secure a resilient environment for it against other goods imported to Lebanon and subsidized by the country of origin, which reduces the competitiveness of national production to the minimum."
The minister appreciated the supportive European stance based on historical and close relations between Lebanon and various European countries. He also thanked Europe for providing assistance to Lebanon since the outbreak of the war in Syria, whether directly or through assisting Syrian refugees.
For her part, Lassen said that the Europeans “are interested in helping Lebanon and they understand the suffering, difficulties and challenges facing the country, especially as a consequence of the Syrian crisis and the displaced Syrians in Lebanon.”
During the meeting, Abou Faour suggested to draft a list of products eligible to enter European markets based on European criteria.