Damascus, Sept. 29 (SANA) Syria and the European Union discussed expanding cooperation on social protection and sustainable development Tuesday, with Damascus seeking a more structured partnership to build a national system through Syrian institutions and local communities.
Social Affairs and Labor Minister Hind Kabawat held talks with EU foreign policy chief and European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas and her accompanying delegation.
Kabawat outlined the ministry’s strategy for developing a national social protection system, with priorities including economic empowerment, the protection and empowerment of women, and the reintegration of returnees.
She said social protection should be treated as an established contract between the state and its citizens rather than as charity, and called for EU-supported programs to contribute to a unified national framework designed and implemented through Syrian institutions and local communities.
The talks also covered the role of civil society in delivering services and strengthening social cohesion.
Kabawat said the ministry was working to develop the regulatory framework for non-governmental organizations, with the aim of improving transparency and fairness and responding more quickly to people’s needs.
R A H / ABD
