President of the European People’s Party (EPP) Manfred Weber on Friday voiced his appreciation over the partnership of his party with the Kataeb that was built more than six years ago, hoping to deepen this fruitful cooperation in the future.

“We, as the European People’s Party (EPP), really appreciate the partnership, we have built since you became members of our political family more than six years ago. I hope that we will not only continue but deepen this fruitful cooperation in the future,” Weber said in remarks in a televised message. 

“I know that your country has gone through many crises over the last past several years and I would like in particular to remember our beloved Secretary General Nazar Najarian whom you lost more than 2 years ago in the terrible explosion in Beirut,” he noted.

“You, dear friends, are strong and brave and I know that these difficulties will never keep you down,” he said.

“Today by renewing your leadership and deciding on the party’s political positioning for the next 4 years, you are looking confidently towards the future. A future in which you will still be able to count on Samy Gemayel to continue guiding the party with his experience and commitment,” he added.

Weber said that the EPP would always be by Kataeb Party’s side, saying that it will stand by it and the Lebanese in their struggling for freedom, democracy and sovereignty.

“I wish you a lot of success for your Congress and I hope to see you very very soon,” he concluded.

For his part, President of the Centrist Democrat International (IDC-CDI) Andres Pastrana said: “I am sad that I cannot be with you today in person at this important Congress but I will never miss the opportunity to send you a special message on this special occasion.”

“Thanks to Kataeb. All the member parties of the Centrist Democrat International have been regularly informed by the dramatic situation faced by Lebanon in the last years of political deadlock and descend into an institutional, economic and humanitarian crisis that has unfairly brought to a huge amount of suffering to the Lebanese people,” he added.

“It is hard to comprehend that almost three years have passed and there is still no one held accountable for the tragedy in the port of Beirut,” he noted.

Pastrana considered that it was unthinkable to see a country with such a huge human capital have its economy collapse completely due to the mismanagement and corruption.

“I would like to share on the behalf of the whole family of the Centrist Democrat International a message of hope: I have known President Amine Gemayel and his son Samy for many years, I think it is hard to find people more committed to a future of peace and prosperity for the Lebanese people,” he declared.

“In the last years, Kataeb step up to a challenge, it develops in a modern and well-managed party with an agenda aiming to overcome the past challenges and providing the Lebanese society to overcome these serious crises,” he affirmed.

Pastrana believed that the Kataeb Party had a solid selections and it is being seen by the young generation as a party of reasonable and reliable politicians really committed to Lebanon and its people.

“The Kataeb Party is a party with strong international network with strong political partners in all over the world who have been working hard to help the Lebanese people in these challenging times,” he pointed out.

“Today, I come here to recognize the amazing work done by current President Samy Gemayel and say that at the Centrist Democrat International we look forward to keep strengthening our cooperation and working together with Kataeb to help Lebanon return to a path of development, growth and peace,” he added.

“I wish you a fruitful Congress. Good luck and I hope seeing you very soon,” he concluded.

Secretary General of the Centrist Democrat International (IDC-CDI) Antonio López-Istúriz White said: “After more than 6 years, I believe that the representatives of the powerful parties in Europe praise the partnership with the Kataeb. I congratulate MP Samy Gemayel for seizing the opportunity that arose to join our political family.” 

“Three years after the port’s explosion, the parties in power have done everything so that justice will not be achieved. Hundreds of families are still suffering from lack of justice and injustice. They must obtain their rights,” he noted.

“Samy Gemayel, you are an honest person, and thanks to your solid commitment to the Lebanese, you never stopped sending a message of optimism for your country. We are here to learn from you and we hope that you would be able to find the path that leads you towards a brilliant future for the Lebanese people,” he said addressing Kataeb Leader Samy Gemayel.