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Germany Plans $62 mln Boost for Syrian Schools, Projects

Students attend a class at a school in Qamishli, Syria, December 16, 2024. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman/File Photo
Students attend a class at a school in Qamishli, Syria, December 16, 2024. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman/File Photo
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Germany Plans $62 mln Boost for Syrian Schools, Projects

Students attend a class at a school in Qamishli, Syria, December 16, 2024. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman/File Photo
Students attend a class at a school in Qamishli, Syria, December 16, 2024. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman/File Photo

Germany said on Monday it would back 60 million euros ($62.70 million) worth of projects in Syria to boost education, women's rights and other areas in the aftermath of the overthrow of president Bashar al-Assad.

Development Minister Svenja Schulze said a "historic window" had opened since opposition seized control of Damascus on Dec. 8, forcing Assad to flee after more than 13 years of civil war and ending his family's decades-long rule.

"What will happen next has not yet been decided. But the opportunity for positive development is there and we should now do everything we can to support it," she said in a statement, Reuters reported.

Around half the projects were focused on education with 25 million euros going to the UN children's agency UNICEF, and 6 million euros for aid group Arche Nova, which runs schools for about 3,000 children.

"We have clearly formulated our expectations: an education system free of ideology, discrimination and exclusion," Schulze said in the statement.

Another 19 million euros will go to the United Nations development agency UNDP, Syrian NGOs will get 7 million euros, and 3 million euros will go to a special UN fund supporting Syrian women's groups, the statement said.

All projects would be run through non-governmental organisations and UN aid agencies, not Syria's new authorities, the ministry added.

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Tehran Open to Negotiations with Washington ‘on Equal Footing’

Pezeshkian addresses diplomats from Islamic countries in Tehran on Saturday, in the presence of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (Iranian Presidency).
Pezeshkian addresses diplomats from Islamic countries in Tehran on Saturday, in the presence of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (Iranian Presidency).
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Tehran Open to Negotiations with Washington ‘on Equal Footing’

Pezeshkian addresses diplomats from Islamic countries in Tehran on Saturday, in the presence of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (Iranian Presidency).
Pezeshkian addresses diplomats from Islamic countries in Tehran on Saturday, in the presence of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (Iranian Presidency).

A day after US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to direct talks with Tehran, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on Saturday that his country is ready for dialogue “on equal footing” with the United States.

Pezeshkian did not clarify whether this readiness implies acceptance of direct negotiations with the US administration. However, the statement appears to be a move to return the ball to Trump’s court, as the decision to engage in direct talks rests solely with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

While aboard Air Force One Thursday evening, Trump was asked by reporters whether he would agree to Iran’s proposal for indirect talks. He responded that he preferred direct negotiations.

Iran has expressed openness to dialogue but rejects direct talks under pressure or threat.

“If the other side wants to negotiate, why the threats?” Pezeshkian asked, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency. The Iranian president said: “Today, America is not just insulting Iran, but the world,” seemingly referencing Trump’s policies, including imposing tariffs on imported goods.

Western countries, led by the United States, have long accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons—allegations Tehran denies, insisting its nuclear activities are purely for civilian purposes.

Meanwhile, Commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hossein Salami, declared that Iran would not initiate a war but is fully prepared to confront any military threats from adversaries, according to the German Press Agency (DPA).

Speaking during a meeting with IRGC commanders, Salami said: “We will not retreat a single step in the face of the enemy. We are prepared for all military and psychological scenarios.”

On Monday, Ali Larijani, a senior adviser close to Supreme Leader Khamenei, warned that although Tehran is not pursuing nuclear weapons, “it will have no choice but to do so” if it comes under attack.