Syrian officials and German development agencies met in Damascus on Thursday to discuss aligning future development cooperation with Syria’s recovery priorities, focusing on infrastructure rehabilitation, public services and institutional capacity building.  The consultation workshop, organized by the International Cooperation Department at Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, brought together representatives of Syrian government institutions with the German Development Bank (KfW), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).  The Foreign Ministry said the meeting aimed to strengthen coordination between Syrian institutions and German partners and identify priority areas for future cooperation to support recovery and sustainable development.  Qutaiba Qadish, director of the ministry’s International Cooperation Department, said Syria is seeking to shift from emergency responses to a more structured recovery process based on national priorities, integrated programs and measurable outcomes.  He said the government’s Recovery Priorities Statement provides the framework for international partnerships, identifying key areas including the restoration of critical infrastructure, the resumption of essential public services, strengthening social and economic resilience, and reforming public administration.  Qadish said Syria is seeking international cooperation that strengthens state institutions, promotes national ownership, supports long-term sustainability and reduces duplication in development assistance.  He said the government values existing cooperation with its German partners and the expertise of German development institutions in sectors directly linked to Syria’s recovery priorities, particularly water and sanitation, healthcare, education, vocational training, employment, and social and economic resilience.  “Syria’s recovery needs are extensive and complex,” Qadish said. “Our most important objective is to jointly identify where Syrian-German cooperation can deliver the greatest added value.” (ICE BEIRUT)

Fonte notizia: Syrian Arab News Agency