BEIRUT, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission will provide an additional 30 million euros to Lebanon to alleviate its burden caused by the influx of Syrian refugees, European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule said Tuesday.
In a press statement issued at the end of Fule's trip to Lebanon, the EU official said "The number of people fleeing the horrible bloodshed in Syria to Lebanon is the highest, and we know that it puts this country under enormous strain... The European Union (EU) remains committed to assisting the Lebanese government in dealing with the (Syrian) refugee crisis."
Fule has met with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Mikati and conveyed the EU's appreciation of the fact that Lebanon keeps its borders open to people fleeing the violence in its neighboring country.
He stressed the EU considers Lebanon as an important partner, adding "We also stand ready to further assist Lebanon in dealing with the impact of the Syrian refugee crisis and the security issues."
The announcement brings the total amount of financial assistance offered by the European Commission to Lebanon regarding the Syrian crisis to almost 75 million euros.
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