EU to modernize local administration in Syria

Syria and the European Union on Tuesday launched a project on modernizing the local administration in Syria. The project is financed by the European Union with a budget of 20.5 millions Euro, and it is to be implemented by the British Firm of IMC.

"The project is very important, it will make landmark and effective changes to improve the administrative, constructional, and environmental situation through focusing on local administration to enhance the city administration, financial resources and provide best factors for the building growth in Syria," Minister of Local Administrations Hilal Atrash told reporters.

He described the project as "a pioneering initiative to develop the biggest 6 cities in Syria which are Damascus, Aleppo, Lattakia, Homs, Tartous and Der Ezzour," referring to the establishment of the Sustainable Local Development Center in Damascus, which is expected to be a regional center to spread expertise in local administration modernization.

President of the EU Commission in Damascus, Franc Heske, for his part, said "we will work together to administrate the city buildings growth," giving attention to improve effectiveness of the cities' projects and schemes.

For his part, Director of the British IMC firm said that the basic goal of this project is to provide the best European expertise to make use of them in Syria ... "we will receive complete support in the field of financing this project," he added.