At the Brussels conference, international donors pledged €5.8 billion ($6.3 billion) in aid for Syria, a decrease from last year’s €7.5 billion. The European Union contributed nearly €2.5 billion, while the US called for greater financial support from other nations. For the first time, Syria’s transitional government participated, advocating for increased aid and the easing of sanctions.
During a recent Brussels conference, international donors committed to provide €5.8 billion (approximately $6.3 billion) in aid for Syria. However, this amount is lower than the previous year’s total, reflecting a decline in funding from the United States. The ninth Brussels Conference, themed “Standing with Syria: Meeting the Needs for a Successful Transition,” saw the European Union contributing nearly €2.5 billion ($2.7 billion) targeted at aiding Syrians both within the country and in surrounding nations.
Significant pledges were made by Germany and the United Kingdom, which contributed $330 million and $210 million respectively. Nevertheless, the overall commitments fell short compared to the €7.5 billion pledged in the prior year, indicating a trend of reduced donor engagement. US representative Natasha Franceschi highlighted the nation’s historical contributions, emphasizing that the US has provided over $18.3 billion in assistance over the last 14 years but called for increased support from other countries to help alleviate the financial burden.
In a notable development, Syria’s transitional government attended the Brussels conference for the first time. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani expressed the need for donors to enhance their aid efforts and suggested that sanctions should be eased to facilitate better assistance delivery. This participation marked a significant step towards involving Syrian leadership in discussions concerning the country’s future and international support.
In summary, the Brussels conference resulted in a pledge of approximately €5.8 billion in aid for Syria, a figure that falls short of previous commitments. The European Union spearheaded contributions, while calls from US representatives underscored the need for increased involvement from other nations. Notably, the attendance of Syria’s transitional government at the conference highlights the evolving dynamics of international support and the ongoing necessity for aid in the region.
Original Source: shafaq.com
