Support To Syria In Rebuilding Country Cannot Be Linked To Political Expectations - IFRC

The need to support Syria in rebuilding the country is essential and must not be linked to any political expectations of those who can provide this aid, President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Francesco Rocca told Sputnik

BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th March, 2019) The need to support Syria in rebuilding the country is essential and must not be linked to any political expectations of those who can provide this aid, President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Francesco Rocca told Sputnik.

On Wednesday, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said the European Union was still united in linking its possible support for Syria's reconstruction with the start of the political process there.

"This is something that, honestly, I would disagree with ... This is not the way humanitarians approach the issue .

.. For us, it's extremely important to start the support in effort to rebuild the country without any political expectation," Rocca said.

The IFRC president added that people's dignity cannot have "a political price."

"But the political solution is important, of course," he added.

Earlier in the day, Mogherini said that the European Union was pledging 560 million Euros, or $634 million, for Syrian refugees in 2019, and the same amount for 2020. At the same time, the EU foreign policy chief stressed the importance of the political process in the country.

The Syrian reconciliation has been discussed at several platforms, including Astana and Geneva peace talks.