President Michel Aoun received on Wednesday Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, whereby the latter confirmed that “his country will continue to stand by Lebanon and its people,” indicating that “the European Union is ready to help immediately upon agreement with the International Monetary Fund.”
Schallenberg also said to President Aoun that he plays a pivotal role in maintaining the country's stability and in pushing for the necessary reforms.
For his part, Aoun stressed that there is a good will for the success of negotiations with the IMF and to get out of the current crisis.
Later in the day, Prime Minister Najib Mikati met with Schallenberg, accompanied by Austrian Ambassador to Lebanon Rene Paul Amery, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Andreas Bacher, and Head of the Middle East Department at the Austrian Foreign Ministry.
During their meeting, they discussed bilateral relations between both countries as well as ways to help and support Lebanon.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdallah Bou Habib also met with his counterpart Schallenberg, whereby they tackled the situation and the latest developments.
Bu Habib then stressed his keenness to “work together to strengthen bilateral cooperation relations between both countries.”
For his part, Minister Schallenberg stated that “they adhere to Lebanon's stability, prosperity as well as new life.”
"We stand by Lebanon, and as we stood in the past, we stand in the future as well. As you know, Austria also contributes to the UNIFIL peacekeeping forces,” he added.
Schallenberg continued by saying that they will help Lebanese, considering that Lebanon needs an agreement with the IMF, so that the EU can provide assistance through the macroeconomic contribution.