Berlin - German Economic Cooperation and Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul has paid tribute to Syria's efforts in caring for Iraqi refugees, but has also stressed the need for political reform during a visit to the country, the ministry said in Berlin Wednesday. Noting that Syria was daily taking in some 2,000 refugees from Iraq, Wieczorek-Zeul said the flood of refugees represented a "big challenge for Syria's economy and society."
Germany has made available some 4 million euros (5.5 million dollars) for building schools for Iraqi and Syrian children.
Wieczorek-Zeul said Syria had made "substantial progress" in an economic reform programme, on which it is being advised by German officials.
"We will continue to support Syria in implementing reforms, in particular in the expectation that political reform, the strengthening of the rule of law and of civil society as well of human rights will follow economic reform," the minister said.
Wieczorek-Zeul said durable peace in the region had to be based on the territorial integrity of Syria, complete respect for Lebanese sovereignty, on the recognition and security of Israel and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
During the visit she signed an agreement on financial cooperation worth 34 million euros.
On Tuesday, at the start of her three-day visit, Wieczorek-Zeul met President Bashar Assad and Prime Minister Mohammed Naji al-Itri.
