Michel Aoun, President of the Republic, emphasized “the importance of the negotiations that Lebanon is conducting with the International Monetary Fund in preparation for a way out of its current crisis,” citing “the presence of good will for its success on both sides,” and urging Austria to “support the repatriation of Syrian refugees to their country, especially in light of the country’s stability.”

President Aoun made the remarks at a meeting with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, who was joined by Austrian Ambassador Rene Paul AMRY and Head of the Middle East Department GEROLD VOLIMER.

Minister Schallenberg thanked President Aoun for hosting him at the start of the meeting, saying he was carrying a “message of goodwill to Lebanon.”

During his visit, Schallenberg examined the Austrian unit in the international emergency forces operating in the south, “UNIFIL,” as well as the refugee camps, and had political conversations based on his country’s determination to follow up on the disturbing events in Lebanon, according to Schallenberg.

Referring to his country’s “financial aid within the framework of humanitarian aid during the refugee crisis,” he expressed his aspiration to one day come to Lebanon “to discuss economic and trade cooperation and business development: “Austria will continue this year to provide humanitarian aid as it did in the past. We will also continue to stand by you and the Lebanese people, in the hope that the future will be brighter in the fight against the pandemic crisis and the economic crisis.”