A moment during the Foreign Minister’s press point at the Italian Embassy in London (picture © S. Masse’)
Italy pledges $400 million at the Supporting Syria and the Region conference
Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni attended the London conference which was co-hosted by the UK, Germany, Kuwait, Norway, and the United Nations, and aims to raise significant new funding to meet the immediate and longer-term needs of the millions of people whose lives have been torn apart by the Syrian civil war.
After taking part in a working breakfast with his counterparts from France, Germany, the UK, the UE, USA, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Turkey and Qatar, Minister Gentiloni attended the plenary sessions on the key themes: Humanitarian, Jobs and Economic Development, Inside Syria.
In an interview with CNN and the press point with the Italian press which followed, the Foreign Minister disclosed that Italy will pledge $400 million (£274m) for Syria and the region, which will be subdivided as follows: $150m as gift, $200m of soft loans and $50m in debt cancellation towards Jordan and Lebanon, countries which host millions of refugees from neighbouring Syria.
Minister Gentiloni stated that the pledge can also contribute to the political stabilisation of the region and to help stem illegal migration.
Minister Gentiloni spoke during the third plenary session “Inside Syria”, underscoring that: “Italy is specifically focusing on education and job opportunities for young Syrians and in supporting Jordan and Lebanon and the surrounding region”.
– Read more on the website of the Italian Foreign Ministry
Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni (right) with Ambassador Pasquale Q. Terracciano (picture © S. Masse’)
