On Monday, Asaad al-Shibani, Syria’s foreign minister, will attend the first annual European Union conference on Syria in Brussels since the inauguration of the transitional government in Damascus after the overthrow of the al-Assad dictatorship in December.
The discussions, which will centre on Syria’s political transition, economic recovery, and reconstruction following 14 years of civil conflict, are anticipated to include EU foreign ministers, senior diplomat Kaja Kallas, and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.
A senior EU official stated that the group intends to announce further funds to help the nation as it “turns a page in its history” and that the European Investment Bank (EIB) may play a part in Syria’s reconstruction.
The official added that there are concerns that the US’s broad assistance freeze may worsen the situation and that European and other foreign donors may have to fill the void, given that Syrians are confronting a “harsh reality” that includes water and energy shortages and urgent humanitarian needs. The de facto authorities’ attempts to steer Syria toward stability have received backing from Brussels.
To support the war-torn nation’s economic rehabilitation and reconstruction, the bloc this month removed several sanctions on important businesses, including the energy, transportation, and finance sectors.
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