The European Commissioner for Internal Market The European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, Michel Barnier, has offered to provide Lebanon with technical assistance in the creation of a common economic market.
Barnier met Lebanese president Michel Sleiman at the presidential palace in Baabda to discuss potential economic cooperation between Lebanon and the European Union.
He also held talks about a common Arab market with Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Lebanese Minister of Economy and Trade, Nicolas Nahas. After the meeting, Barnier said: \"I was very pleased to meet Prime Minister Mikati and discussed the complex situation in this region, with the essential role that Lebanon can play. We also discussed European Union\'s support for displaced Syrians in Lebanon and the region, which is a humanitarian issue.\"
Barnier added that Lebanon was in a \"difficult situation\" because of the diversity of the population. He stressed that Lebanon needs cooperation from both France and the European Union, as outlined by French president Francois Holland during his recent visit to Lebanon.