Brussels, 07/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Syria signed a €55 million loan agreement on 6 December for the development of modern water supply, wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure in north-western Syria.
Philippe de Fontaine Vive, EIB Vice-President, signed the agreement alongside Omar Ghalawanji, Syrian Minister for Housing and Construction. He said he was “particularly proud of both the 'green' footprint of this project, which is included in the EU Horizon 2020 initiative aimed at fighting pollution in the Mediterranean sea, and its positive impact on the quality of life and welfare of many inhabitants in this part of Syria through the development of modern water supply, wastewater collection and treatment systems”.
EIB services state that the operation will improve water and wastewater services for over 370,000 inhabitants of 200 villages and will strengthen environmental sustainability by reducing wastewater discharges into the Mediterranean Sea. The area concerned includes the city of Banias and surrounding villages, and villages of the four river catchments of Hreisun, Jobar, Al Ghamkah and Al Dabousiah draining into the Mediterranean Sea. (F.B./transl.jl)