First annual report on EU-Syria co-operation launched
Syria-European Union, Politics, 7/3/2004

A celebration was held on July 1st at the State's planning commission in Damascus marking the launching of the first annual report by the delegation of the European Commission to Syria on EU- Syria Co-operation. The report details the accomplishments for 2003, including ongoing projects implemented by the delegation, in addition to updates on regional projects and Europan Investment Bank loans to Syria.

The evernt was attended by the European Commission head of delegation in Damascus Frank Hesske and chairman of the state planning commission Abdullah al-Dardari and reporters for the Syrian local media and Arab and foreign correspondents accredited in Damascus.

In a speech he delivered on this occasion, Hesske said that the report, which also briefly forecasts some upcoming activities for 2004, lends credence to bilateral expectations of further improvemnsts in the co-operation for the coming years. He said that as a result of the devolution of EU-Syria co-operation relations, the delegation is now directly responsible for a portfolio of 149 million EURO in bilateral projects between Syria and the EU, while this is expected to increase to 204 million EUROS by the end of the year. The move has been an important step in the European Commission's reform of its external aid and has strengthened " our " presence in Syria by allowing " us" to improve the quality and speed of our co-operation activities. He gave an example to that by improving staff and information technology capacities " we can now " process invoices, negotiate contracts and directly implement projects out of the delegation's offices in Damascus in co-operation with our Syrian counterparts. The focus of our work, he added, continues to support the Syrian Government's reforms in the economic, social and administrative sectors as well as addressing important areas such as human rights.

He added that the EC has already started to see the results of this principle that " what can be better managed and decided on the spot shoul not be managed or decided in Brussels." The delegation, for example, has accelerated the pace of implementation of most of our ongoing projects. During 2003, alone, he indicated, the delegation made payments of 17.5 million EUROS, which was more than double the amount of the previous year of 2002. In addition, this positive trend has continued in the first six months of 2004, with the delegation so far making paments amounting to 9.5 million EUROS, which exceeds payments of the entire year 2002..

He added " as we have stressed in our Annual report," co-operation is all about working together- closely and efficiently- in order to find common ground and successfully address core values that have continued to inspire the European Union's Partnership with the mediterranean countries. Values such as security, stability, shared prosperity and deeper undersanding between cultures that will ultimately help improve not just our lives, but perhaps more importantly, the lives of our children.

He indicated that as the report highlights, significant stride were made in these areas through bilateral co-operation. He noted that the dialogue has been intense, as have our joint efforts when it comes to carrying out projects and programs that deal with key issues such as health, education and industrial sectors. The co-operation has been reached through various paths such as bilateral projects between Syria and the EU, regional projects betweem the Euro- Mediterranean Partners and the EU, and loans from the European Investment Bank, which in Syria for 2003 alone amounted to 90 million EUROS.

In terms of projects, the delegation currently manages over one dozen, which cuts across a wide spectrum and together translate into direct improvements in the lives of millions of people. These include: helping small and medium sized businesses increase their company and staff capacity to make them more competitive in an increasingly globalized economy; support the reform of the Syrian administration and contribute to the preparation of a long term economic strategy; providing suport for the modernization of the telecommunication, power and electricity sectors which is essential for economic development; improving water supply and sanitation facilities, including an area that covers two Palestinians refuge camps, where thousands of refugees live with overflowing streets and unsafe water, improving health facilities; strengthening higher education and introducing management education; and improving Syria's know- how and techniques in the preservation of cultural heritage and in getting more tourists to discover Syria's historical sites.

Hesske indicated that these are just some of the specific activities that are being carried out through co-operation between the EU and Syria. In other words " we have a lot to be proud of." Hesske also highlighted the very special role played by our other partners- including EU member states. In Syria, EU donors are represented by 17 embassies of the member states whose bilateral activities are closely co-ordinated with EU funded projects. That means, he said " our projects often complement each other to give ultimate success. He said that the delegation also maintains close contact with other donors in Syria, including the United Nations Development Program and the Japan International Co-operation Agency, JICA.

He, in particular stressed the importance of regional projects, which represent a key asset of the MEDA program. Regional co-operation in an innovative approach of the Balcerona process and directly deals with problems that are common to many Mediterranean partners - while also considering national complementarities. He noted that Syria's participation in regional projects has increased, but there is room for more in order for the country to take full advantage of this additional source of assistance. He commented that higher participation would allow Syria to further tap into the economic and technical benefits associated with tying countries closer through cooperation and bringing about stability and shared prosperity in the Mediterranean.

Hesske explained that the quality of " our common rojects" must also improve, and we are working together to do just that. A few months ago, for example, we had a training day o EU- Syria Co-operation organized together with the State Planning Commission, which set out to help Syria institutions identify, prepare and implement projects financed by the EU. In addition, he said, our portfolio will expand dramatically in 2004, as we are about to launch a 21 million EURO project on modernisation of vocational education and training ' a 18 million EURO project for Municipal administration Modernisation; a 8 million EUROS project for the Ministry of finance and a 6 million EURO project on Banking sector support.

He also remarked the National Indicative program of 2005 and 2006 which is now ready to be signed by the Syrian government and the European Commission. He said that with a budget of 80 million EUROS, the program will focus on institution building, industrial modernisation, human resource development, trade enhancement and building a stronger civil society with the respect for human rights. This program is further proof of Europe's commitment to support Syria's modernisation and reform policy. Syria can count on the European Union in its endeavour to meet successfully the numerous internal and regional challenges the country is confronted with, Hesske said, adding that " these changes might sometimes be painful, but constitute a necessary precondition to make Syria a more secure and prosperous country.

Previous Stories:
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