Lebanon - EU meet on association agreement

Lebanese -European Union talks were held on Wednesday at the Lebanese Finance Ministry's headquarters to eliminate obstacles impeding the signing of a new Lebanese - EU Association agreement.

The Lebanese side was chaired by Finance Minister George Karem and the EU side by the chairman of the Mediterranean office at the European Commission, Peter Zangl.

In a statement following the meeting, the Lebanese minister said the main obstacles for signing the new AA relates to the provisional period between signing and ratification. The Lebanese minister added, "We seek to have our own choice in the issue of customs tariffs."

Zangl, for his part, said, "There are no problems that cannot be eliminated." He stressed that the Lebanese government has a clear will to quickly solve all obstacles.