Event Reports
Prof. Dr. Bernhard Vogel, former Minister President of Rhineland-Palatinate and Thuringia, and honorary chairman of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and Dr. Gerhard Wahlers, Deputy General Secretary of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, have been on a visit to Lebanon from 6 to 9 February 2017. The trip involved meetings with several eminent figures, such as the new president of the Lebanese Republic, His Excellency General Michel Aoun, former President H.E. Amine Gemayel, former Prime Minister H.E. Tammam Salam, former Prime Minister H.E. Fouad Siniora and H.E. Bishop Boulos Matar.
In the talks it became clear how much the cedar state is between hope and challenge: after a long period of internal political stalemate, the country has a new president with Michel Aoun since a few months. At the same time, the neighboring regions do not settle down: regional instability, terrorism and the continuing flow of refugees from neighboring Syria have a direct impact on the political and economic situation of the country. In addition, Lebanon has become a stage for conflict of interests between Saudi Arabia and Iran that are struggling for regional supremacy.
"It is therefore all the more important that we continue to expand our cooperation with Lebanon, including political as well as non-state partners," said Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Gerhard Wahlers during the trip. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and its long-standing partner Maison du Futur (MdF). The goal of this partnership is to strengthen the exchange of information and opinions on conflict resolution, political and economic development and the promotion of dialogue between cultures in Lebanon and the Middle East and North Africa region. The foundation already has two offices in Lebanon. In addition to the country project Lebanon, the countries Syria / Iraq are also processed from Beirut. Lastly, the rule of law program of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung for the Middle East and North Africa, which is also managed from Beirut, will be continued under a new direction.
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Memorendum of Understanding: