Italy is allocating nearly 68 million euros to finance humanitarian projects and infrastructure reconstruction in Syria, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced, quoted by Reuters, BTA reports.
Tajani explained that the initial package will be aimed at humanitarian initiatives in the health sector, infrastructure and strengthening food supply chains. He added that new cooperation projects would be launched in the coming weeks and indicated that Italy intends to organize a business forum focused on the reconstruction of Syria.
Earlier this month, at a conference organized by the European Union, donors pledged 5.8 billion euros to help the new Syrian authorities deal with the challenges of the transition. In addition, EU countries lifted some sanctions against Syria, including restrictions on energy, banking, transport and reconstruction.
The new authorities in Damascus issued a constitutional declaration that maintains the central role of Islamic law in the country.
According to Tajani, the constitutional declaration represents a positive step, stressing that the progressive and cautious easing of sanctions must continue to promote institutional stabilization and economic recovery in Syria.