ISTANBUL

€5.8 billion ($6.3 billion) was pledged in aid to Syria at the 9th annual donor conference held Monday in Brussels.

“I have the honor to announce that together, we have pledged a total of €5.8 billion in grants and loans, and also €4.2 billion in grants and €1.6 billion in loans,” EU Commissioner Dubravka Suica announced.

She also underscored that the European Union and member states remained the biggest donor, accounting for 80% of the pledge for grants.

“Beyond grants, the international financial institutions and donors have announced the concessional loans at the amount of €1.6 billion,” Suica added.

She expressed the commission’s “heartfelt gratitude” for the participants’ efforts in mobilizing resources and exploring ways to support Syria and its neighboring countries.

“Your contributions reaffirm the strong and unwavering support of the international community for the people of Syria, this support equally extends to the Syrian refugees, the host countries, and the host communities in the region during this critical time of change for Syria,” Suica reaffirmed.

She also underscored that last December’s fall of the Assad regime was a “historic opportunity” to ensure a “better future for all Syrians, to support the transition process and to help reunite, stabilize and rebuild the country.”

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced earlier in the day that EU would increase its pledge for Syrians to around €2.5 billion for 2025 and 2026.

Since 2017, the EU has held an annual donor conference in support of Syria, during which the bloc offers grants and aid to war-devastated Syria and to countries hosting Syrian refugees.

This year’s conference is being attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani.