EU Pledges €2.5 Billion for Syria Reconstruction

The European Union (EU) convened a donor conference in Brussels focused on Syria's post-civil war reconstruction, with the EU pledging €2.5 billion over the next two years. Germany committed an additional €300 million to support humanitarian efforts and Syrian refugees in neighboring countries, while the UK pledged £160 million for critical services in Syria by 2025. Despite significant pledges, funding efforts are expected to fall short due to the United States reducing its foreign aid budget. Syria's interim Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani attended the conference for the first time, reflecting the country's attempt to stabilize post-Assad. Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized the necessity of an inclusive political process for Syria's peaceful future and accountability for recent violence in Latakia.