Abu Dhabi: More than 50 countries took part in the First Senior Official Meeting of Friends of Syria: Economic Recovery and Development Working Group, which was held in Abu Dhabi yesterday.
Recommendations were made to establish a secretariat to outline the national economic vision for the new Syria to place the economy in the service of all Syrian citizens.
Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, said in the opening speech that the conference " is a concerted effort by the international community to support Syrians in their turmoil and economic hardships.
"We are optimistic about a promising and bright future for the Syrian. We see a light in the tunnel amidst threats of sectarianism and endless violence; yet the international community is serious to help out and to restructure the Syrian economy for the sake of the people," added Gargash.
Clemens von Goetze, deputy political director and head of the German delegation, told Gulf News that the secretariat will target the improvement of the Syrian economy.
"We commit ourselves to cooperate closely with the working group to jointly prepare for the economic reconstruction and development of the New Syria," said von Goetze.
Sameer Nashar, Syrian National Council (SNC) executive member, told the Gulf News: "Syria will be freed from the hands of the brutal and illegitimate regime, from lootings by cliques, monopoly, and theft of public money."
Osama Qadi, president of the Syrian Centre for Political and Strategic Studies and member of the SNC, told Gulf News that the new Syria will focus on justice and the redistribution of the national wealth.
He also touched on the application of the principle of equal opportunity.
"It will focus on combating poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and corruption all over Syrian territories."
