MoU to Ensure Requirements of Water Sector

Damascus, (ST) – Ministry of Water Resources and the Patriarchate of Antioch and the entire East for Catholics signed on Thursday a memorandum of understanding in order to ensure the requirements and supplies of water resources sector and contribution to the achievement of sustainable development.

The areas of cooperation according to the text of the memorandum include “drilling and equipping wells and providing mechanical and electric equipment and parts for water projects, sanitation and transport water tanks, maintenance and establishment of projects and the work agreed by the parties,” while the formation of a technical committee of the two parties to put an operational plan for the memorandum and raising a periodical report for what is being done.

According to the funding mechanism, the Patriarchate in accordance with the Memorandum of ensuring the necessary funding to implement projects according to the importance and priority of the project and the estimated cost of the ministry, while the Ministry contributes to submit studies and facilities, correspondence and exemptions with the other ministries and public bodies to implement the projects easily.

The Minister of Water Resources Eng. Nabil al -Hassan noted that the Memo comes in the framework of the ministry’s keenness to ensure service of sanitation and drinking water to the citizens, stressing the importance of cooperation with the Patriarchate in “dealing with emergency cases and overcome the difficulties and obstacles that hinder joint action.”

For his part, Patriarch Gregory III Lahham, Patriarch of Antioch and the entire East for Catholics noted that the Memo “contributes in achieving the stability of the citizens in their homes through supporting the infrastructure of basic humanitarian services.

The Memo is effective since the date of signature and is valid for a period of two years and will be automatically renewed.

Sharif al -Khatib