Sydney - Middle East Times Int’l: On the other hand, the file of displaced Syrians is witnessing a steady movement that is expected to reach a high level early next month with the second visit of Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulou Leides to Lebanon within a few weeks, scheduled for May 2.

It is also expected that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will visit Beirut early next May to also discuss the issue of displaced Syrians and other issues.

The two visits constitute an important and essential station for completing research into the displaced crisis, its repercussions on Lebanon, and ways to address it.

Press sources stated that the increased interest in this issue, especially by Europeans, stems first from the dangers they feel as a result of the increasing pace of movement of groups of displaced Syrians across the sea from Lebanon, Syria and Turkey to many European countries, including Cyprus, Greece and Italy. It is also linked to the results of the Cypriot President’s first visit to Lebanon and his talks with Presidents Nabih Berri and Najib Mikati, as well as the results of the caretaker Prime Minister’s visit to France and what happened between him and President Macron about ways to support the Lebanese position towards the issue of the displaced, especially about the importance of the European Union acknowledging the existence of safe areas in Syria where the displaced can return.

The sources added that the discussion with the Cypriot President and the President of the European Commission will focus on this point, as Lebanon seeks to convince the European Union of the idea of safe areas and support the plan for the return of displaced Syrians in stages at the Brussels conference, which will be held in late May to discuss the situation in Syria and focus on the issue of the displaced.

The press sources added, “There is a take and a response." at the present time, there is disagreement among the European Union countries on the issue of safe areas in Syria, especially since a number of these countries are inclined to be convinced of Lebanon’s position. However, there are other countries, led by Germany, who are strict about this idea and identify in their position with the American position, which is pressing towards not Adopting such a Lebanese position at the present time.

The source says that the European position is not clear yet, and that dealing with the issue of displaced Syrians does not seem to be a candidate for a clear, fundamental change, knowing that the European Union is still dealing with this issue according to the rule it has followed since the beginning of the Syrian displacement crisis, which revolves around helping Lebanon to bear the burden. The burden of this displacement by providing financial assistance to it and to the displaced Syrians.