The European Union has pledged €9.6 billion in grants and loans to support Syrians in Syria and refugees and their host communities. The pledge was made at the 7th Brussels Conference on the Future of Syria, which was hosted by EU High Representative Josep Borrell on June 10-11.

The pledges exceed those of last year by €800 million. The EU and its member states represent 70% of the grants pledged.

The humanitarian situation in Syria remains dire. The country is still reeling from the effects of the 12-year conflict, and millions of people are in need of assistance.

The EU's pledge will help to provide food, water, shelter, healthcare, and education to those in need. It will also help to support the reconstruction of Syria's infrastructure.

In addition to the humanitarian assistance, the EU also pledged to continue to support UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen in his efforts to generate momentum for a renewed political process.

Pedersen concluded that the conference could be an "inflection point" in the Syrian conflict. He urged the international community to seize this opportunity to move forward.

The EU's pledge is a significant commitment to the people of Syria. It shows that the EU is committed to helping those who have been affected by the conflict and to supporting a political solution.

EU will not normalise relations with Syria until there is progress on political transition

The European Union will not normalise relations with Syria until there is progress on a political transition, EU High Representative Josep Borrell said on June 11.

Borrell spoke after the 7th Brussels Conference on the Future of Syria, which was hosted by the EU. The conference raised €9.6 billion in pledges for humanitarian aid and reconstruction.

Borrell said that the EU's goal is to see a "credible, inclusive, and Syrian-led political transition" in Syria. He said that the EU will not normalise relations with Syria until there is progress on this front.

Borrell also said that the EU is concerned about the recent normalization of relations between some Arab countries and Syria. He said that the EU believes that these normalizations should be linked to progress on a political transition.

The Syrian conflict has been going on for 12 years. Millions of people have been displaced from their homes, and hundreds of thousands have been killed. The conflict has also had a devastating impact on the country's infrastructure.

The EU has been a leading donor of humanitarian aid to Syria. The bloc has also provided political support to the Syrian opposition.

Borrell said that the EU will continue to support the Syrian people and to work for a political solution to the conflict.