Latest news with #EuropeanUnion-led


Rudaw Net
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Plans for rebuilding Syria's Rif Dimashq province ready: Governor
Also in Syria SDF, Syrian new authorities begin prisoner swap France urges continued dialogue between SDF, Damascus Syria condemns Israeli strikes as 'blatant violation' of sovereignty SDF's Abdi announces amnesty in meeting with Raqqa notables A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Plans to reconstruct the devastated areas in southern Syria's Rif Dimashq province are 'ready' and awaiting official kickoff, the governor said on Thursday. Amer al-Sheikh told Rudaw's Solin Mohammed that 'the damages [in Rif Dimashq] are extensive,' adding that 'in some areas the percentage of damage reaches as high as 70 percent.' On Saturday, Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa appointed a 23-member transitional cabinet, including four ministers from minority groups. The government is expected to guide the country through its transitional phase and address post-war crises. Upon announcing the new cabinet, Sharaa on Saturday stated, 'at this historic moment, we mark the beginning of a new phase in our national journey' and 'advance toward the future we deserve with strong will and unwavering resolve.' Governor al-Sheikh explained on Thursday that the reconstruction process in Rif Dimashq province depends on 'the government [decisions] and the plans we have in this regard,' adding that provincial officials have already met with 'investors and some organizations' to begin the process. He also highlighted that the government has made significant strides in assessing the province's needs and the extent of the damage, highlighting that the plans to start the reconstruction are 'ready.' Syrians rose against the regime of toppled dictator Bashar al-Assad in 2011, leading to a full-scale civil war that has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands and left millions more in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Much of the country's infrastructure remains in ruins, with more than 13 million Syrians displaced - half the country's pre-war population. Over 6 million of the displaced Syrians sought refuge abroad, according to UN figures. International donors have pledged substantial financial support for Syria's reconstruction and stabilization following the fall of Assad. At a European Union-led conference in Brussels, global donors committed nearly $6.5 billion, comprising $4.6 billion in grants and $1.7 billion in low-interest loans. Key contributions include €2.5 billion (around $2.75 billion) from the EU for 2025 and 2026 to aid Syria's transition and socio-economic recovery, addressing urgent humanitarian needs within Syria and in neighboring countries.


Asharq Al-Awsat
27-03-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Italy Pledges 68 Million Euros in Aid for Syria
Italy has earmarked some 68 million euros ($73.20 million) to finance humanitarian projects and rebuild infrastructure in Syria, Rome's foreign minister told lawmakers on Thursday, saying it was crucial to support the transition in Damascus. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized power in Syria in December, toppling former president Bashar al-Assad. "An initial package has been earmarked for humanitarian initiatives in the hospital and health sector, in infrastructure, and in strengthening food supply chains," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told a parliamentary hearing. "New cooperation projects will start in the coming weeks. And we also intend to organize a business forum aimed at reconstruction," he added, according to Reuters. Earlier this month, donors at a European Union-led conference pledged 5.8 billion euros to help Syria's new authorities with the challenges of the transition. EU countries have also suspended a range of sanctions against Syria, including restrictions related to energy, banking, transport and reconstruction.

Al Arabiya
27-03-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Italy pledges $73.2 mln in aid for Syria
Italy has earmarked some $73.20 million to finance humanitarian projects and rebuild infrastructure in Syria, Rome's foreign minister told lawmakers on Thursday, saying it was crucial to support the transition in Damascus. The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) opposition group seized power in Syria in December, toppling former president Bashar al-Assad and ending decades of authoritarian rule. 'An initial package has been earmarked for humanitarian initiatives in the hospital and health sector, in infrastructure, and in strengthening food supply chains,' Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told a parliamentary hearing. 'New cooperation projects will start in the coming weeks. And we also intend to organize a business forum aimed at reconstruction,' he added. Earlier this month, donors at a European Union-led conference pledged 5.8 billion euros to help Syria's new authorities with the challenges of the transition. EU countries have also suspended a range of sanctions against Syria, including restrictions related to energy, banking, transport and reconstruction. The new authorities this month issued a constitutional declaration that retains a central role for Islamic law in the country. Tajani said the constitutional declaration represented a 'positive step' and a 'progressive and cautious' easing of sanctions should continue to foster institutional consolidation and economic recovery.


Arab News
27-03-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Italy pledges 68 million euros in aid for Syria
ROME, March 27 : Italy has earmarked some 68 million euros ($73.20 million) to finance humanitarian projects and rebuild infrastructure in Syria, Rome's foreign minister told lawmakers on Thursday, saying it was crucial to support the transition in Damascus. 'An initial package has been earmarked for humanitarian initiatives in the hospital and health sector, in infrastructure, and in strengthening food supply chains,' Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told a parliamentary hearing. 'New cooperation projects will start in the coming weeks. And we also intend to organize a business forum aimed at reconstruction,' he added. Earlier this month, donors at a European Union-led conference pledged 5.8 billion euros to help Syria's new authorities with the challenges of the transition. EU countries have also suspended a range of sanctions against Syria, including restrictions related to energy, banking, transport and reconstruction. The new authorities this month issued a constitutional declaration that retains a central role for Islamic law in the country. Tajani said the constitutional declaration represented a 'positive step' and a 'progressive and cautious' easing of sanctions should continue to foster institutional consolidation and economic recovery.

LBCI
18-03-2025
- Business
- LBCI
EU conference pledges $6.3 billion for Syria's recovery
Donors at a European Union-led conference on Monday pledged 5.8 billion euros ($6.3 billion) to help Syria's new authorities as they struggle with humanitarian and security problems after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. The pledges at the Brussels gathering were less than last year's 7.5 billion euros in grants and loans, as EU officials pointed to U.S. aid cuts as a major contributing factor. The annual conference has been hosted by the EU since 2017 - but took place without the government of Assad, who was shunned for his brutal actions in a civil war that began in 2011. Reuters