EU allocates €400M in further aid to Syria

After suspending the arms embargo placed on Syria due to the tireless efforts of Britain through its foreign secretary, William Hague in order to pressure Assad to 'negotiate seriously', the EU is now sending additional finance to Syria and its neighbours.

The EU will send €400 million ($523 million) in additional aid to Syria and its neighbours, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said on Thursday. The non-humanitarian aid comprises budgetary support for states neighboring Syria, which have struggled to cope with a huge influx of refugees, Reuters said.

The EU is already the biggest humanitarian donor in the Syrian crisis, committing more than €840 million to alleviate what Barroso called “the most dramatic humanitarian situation in the last decade.” He said unrestricted and unconditional humanitarian access is needed in Syria, as well as an inclusive transitional government.

The EU has so far restrained itself from interfering in the Syrian crisis, preferring rather to lend its voice on the need to avoid escalation that would lead to catastrophe.