Iraq News

EU unveils Syria reconstruction plan

The EU unveiled a plan Tuesday (March 14th) to support the reconstruction of war-torn Syria, calling it a "dividend" to encourage warring parties to reach a peace deal, AFP reported.

Ahead of an April 5th Syria conference in Brussels, EU foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini released proposals ranging from de-mining to organising elections.

"Too many times the international community has not prepared the post-conflict period in time. This time we want to be ready," Mogherini said.

Mogherini said the EU was "looking beyond the current situation as a dividend for peace that could encourage parties in Syria to make necessary compromises".

The April 5th conference would provide the opportunity for the parties to begin co-ordinating their efforts now, she said.

An accompanying document issued by the European Commission said possible steps would be to mobilise funding to support reconstruction efforts, including helping with security, demining and monitoring of the ceasefire.

The EU also could help restore basic services to show that peace was providing real benefits, the document said, and "support the drafting of a new constitution and the organisation of elections, notably through assistance to election management and an EU electoral observation mission".

The EU has consistently backed UN efforts to end the conflict in Syria.

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