Syrians need more support, regardless of whether they are still abroad or decide to return home, says EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen according to AFP.
That's why the European Union is today increasing its pledge to Syrians in the country and in the region to nearly 2.5 billion euros for 2025 and 2026.
The EU announces that international donors have promised 5.8 billion euros in support. The figure is less than the 7.5 billion euros promised at last year's donor meeting. The US representative has not specified whether the country will contribute any money this year.
Cautious optimism
The EU has held donor meetings on Syria for the past eight years, but the focus has primarily been on refugee efforts in neighboring countries. This year, it's about reconstruction instead.
And for the first time, a Syrian government representative is participating: interim foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani.
It was in December that the country's current interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa led a range of rebel groups, including his own Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which previously had terrorist ties, against Damascus where the Assad regime was overthrown.
Al-Sharaa has been received with cautious optimism in the international community – despite continued tensions and reports that over 1,200 civilians were recently killed in coastal areas. The victims mainly came from the Alawite and Christian minorities.
Previously promised
Al-Sharaa appointed an investigation committee last week to hold those responsible accountable. He has also promised to protect minority groups and religious communities in a future Syria. And recently, al-Sharaa signed a provisional constitutional document that includes women's rights and press and freedom of expression – but establishes that Syria will have Islamist rule.
Previously, Germany and Denmark have announced that they will contribute with approximately 3.3 billion kronor and nearly one billion kronor, respectively, in support of Syria. Germany's contribution will primarily go to the UN and selected organizations to support the "peaceful process" in the country, according to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
Her Danish counterpart Lars Løkke Rasmussen says that "the new political winds" now blowing justify the promised support for reconstruction, according to Ritzau.
