EU Foreign Policy Chief Frederica Mogherini on Tuesday stressed that the Union will continue to provide assistance to Lebanon, mainly in security and economic affairs. Mogherini was in Beirut for the official opening of the new headquarters of the European Union delegation in Lebanon, which was sponsored by Prime Minister Saad Hariri. “Lebanon has a special touch in the Arab world when it comes to the role of women in society and politics,” she said at the ceremony. “We are working together to build a Lebanon that is not only greener, but also safer. We cooperate with your police - with the Lebanese armed forces - in a number of fields, from border control to airport security and trainings.” “The work we do in the defense and security sector is key, not only for the Lebanese security, but also for the European security. Today we have regular political, economic and social dialogues. Our bilateral trade has increased steadily each year and investing more and more in Lebanon is for us a priority," said Mogherini. She also mentioned the CEDRE Conference that was held in April last year. “We announced a package that could generate up to €1.5 billion in loans for Lebanon until 2020, which is next year, if accompanied by the agreed reforms. And I know the new government is keen on advancing that agenda and I will be spending the rest of the day with Prime Minister Hariri, discussing exactly how we move forward on that side,” said Mogherini. During her visit to Beirut, the EU official met with top Lebanese officials, including President Michel Aoun, who told her that Beirut will continue to work for the return of Syrian refugees to safe areas in their war-torn country without waiting for a political solution. Aoun added in remarks released by his office that Lebanon will try to ensure that Syrian returnees are not in danger. The EU had stated in the past that the return of refugees in large numbers should take place after the war in the neighboring country comes to an end. Aoun suggested that international assistance to refugees be given to them after they return home in order to encourage them to do so, adding that their presence in Lebanon is making them compete with Lebanese for jobs and increasing emigration among Lebanese citizens. Thousands of Syrian refugees returned home from Lebanon last year after regime troops captured wide parts of the country.