President Joseph Aoun received European Union official for foreign, political and security affairs Kaja Kallas. Aoun stressed that “Lebanon looks forward to signing a strategic partnership with the Union,” explaining that “there is an interconnection between the stability of Lebanon and the stability of Europe and the region.” He pointed out that “the Lebanese army is performing its full duty in the areas where it deployed south of the Litani, in implementation of the “Framework Agreement,” while Israel is still refraining from implementing its provisions.” Aoun stressed that “negotiation is an alternative to war, and the agreement is the only means to end the state of hostility between Lebanon and Israel,” stressing that “Lebanon is committed to implementing economic reforms.” In a related context, he pointed out that “the adoption of the financial gap law allows the signing of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund.” In turn, Callas confirmed that “the European Union is ready to provide the necessary assistance to Lebanon, especially to the army, the internal security forces, and those concerned with social and humanitarian aspects.”