EU Commission chief highlights importance of Syrian reconstruction for EU

By Efe Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) - The EU Commission president on Tuesday highlighted the importance of Syrian reconstruction for the EU, hinting that the bloc could be involved in Syrian reconstruction in the post-Assad era.

In a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Turkish capital Ankara, Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the importance of engaging in dialogue with all parties in Syria for rebuilding efforts.

Noting that the EU is Syria's biggest donor, von der Leyen said that this support must be realized with a new focus, urging the need to concentrate on reconstruction efforts in Syria, scarred by 13 years of civil war, which just ended on Dec. 8 when forces opposed to the Assad regime captured the capital Damascus.

She also underlined Türkiye's legitimate security concerns within Syria, acknowledging the Turkish presence in the country, opposing the terrorist PKK/YPG’s efforts to establish a terrorist belt along the Turkish border.