Training Day on EU-Syria Cooperation

The Delegation of the European Commission organized yesterday, March 17 together with the State Planning Commission a training day on EU-Syria Cooperation.

The objective of the training is to improve the capacity of Syrian institutions to identify, prepare and implement projects financed by the European Union. Speed and efficiency in the implementation of such programs is an important criteria for allocating EU funds to Mediterranean Partners.

Representatives of 11 Syrian Ministries and of the State Planning Commission will get a better understanding of the context and general objectives of the EU cooperation with Mediterranean Partners and how the strategic approach of cooperation is translated into future programming of projects. They will receive training in state-of-the-art project cycle management following a logical framework approach, and acquire a better knowledge of cooperation project instruments and EC procedures.

On this occasion, Ambassador Frank Hesske, Head of Delegation of the European Commission to the Syrian Arab Republic declared: "In the wake of the finalisation of the Association Agreement and of the National Indicative Program of EU assistance to Syria for 2005-2006, the training will allow for an improvement of the speed and efficiency in the implementation of the cooperation programs between the EU and Syria."

The EU currently provides 149 million Euros in grants to finance projects in Syria, an amount that is likely to increase to 200 millions by end of 2004. The priority sectors of intervention are institution-building, industrial modernisation, human resources development, trade enhancement and development of human rights and civil society.