Türkiye is an ally and partner of Syria, Damascus Governor Maher Marwan tells Anadolu
Syria's national unity and attracting investments to revive the economy are the top priorities of the country's new leadership, the newly-appointed Damascus governor said on Thursday.
Speaking to Anadolu, Maher Marwan hailed fraternal relations between the Syrian and Turkish peoples, stressing that Türkiye is an ally and partner of his country.
Bashar Assad, Syria's leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of the capital Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party's regime, which had been in power since 1963. The takeover came after Hayat
Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters captured key cities in a lightning offensive that lasted less than two weeks.
“Among the major challenges (facing the new leadership) is a major mistrust between the public and government institutions that were seen as serving their own interests,” the governor said.
He underlined the need to work on building trust through several solutions, including enhancing the efficiency of government institutions and monitoring their work.
He also pointed to the need to develop public services, including the use of digital technology in public institutions.
“It is also necessary to work to increase salaries of the civil servants and improve the standard of living of the population in general.”
- Investments
The Damascus governor said the new leadership will work to attract local and foreign investments and provide facilities to business owners.
“It is also important to work to create job opportunities for young men and women in Damascus and other provinces and solve the fuel crisis in the near future.”
Marwan said the Syrian leadership is working through relevant institutions to solve the electricity problem, fix roads, enhance sanitary services, and renovate parks.
“We will work, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, to market infrastructure projects and other investment projects through a ‘participation system' based on cooperation between the public and private sectors,” he added.
"We want investors to return to Damascus and Syria,” the governor said.
“We will offer them a safe investment environment that benefits the people and helps to build Syria's future," he pledged.
- Improving salaries
The Damascus governor pointed out that nearly 95% of the country's civil servants returned to their work, stressing that raising their salaries is a main priority for the new Syrian administration.
“Our priority is to increase salaries as the current salaries are weak and do not match the rising cost of living, which is a major reason for corruption within government institutions,” he said.
The governor said salaries currently range between $15 and $20.
“Efforts are underway to develop a new salary scale that is appropriate to the circumstances, and salaries may increase by up to 400% next month, which will contribute to improving the standard of living,” he added.
- National unity
The governor said the new leadership is working to restore life to normal all across Syria.
“We are seeking to draw Syria's future through plans for each ministry and institution to advance the country during the transitional period,” he said.
He underlined the importance of strengthening national unity after Assad's fall.
"Syria was a beautiful mosaic that the former regime worked to tear apart into separate sects,” he said.
“We are seeking to restore Syria as a unified country and we need to strengthen societal cohesion," the governor stressed.
As for freedoms, Marwan said the new Syrian leadership is seeking to achieve equality among all Syrians.
"Everyone is now equal in rights, and what unites us is the law that regulates our lives," he added.
- Turkish-Syrian fraternity
The governor referred to a recent visit by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Dec. 22 to Damascus and Mount Qasioun along with leader of Syria's new leadership Ahmed al-Sharaa.
“This meeting reflects a clear agreement between Türkiye and Syria, and enhances hopes for a bright future for the two brotherly peoples,” he added.
The Damascus governor hailed Turkish support for the Syrian people throughout the revolution against the Assad regime.
"The Syrian and Turkish peoples are brothers and sisters,” he said.
“Since the beginning of the revolution, we have been one hand, and the Turkish people have provided a lot of support to the Syrian people,” he said. We do not forget the favor of those who have helped us, and we will remain loving.
"Türkiye is a strategic ally to us socially, culturally, economically, militarily and politically,” the governor said.
“The Turkish people are our allies and partners, and we cooperate with the current leadership (in Türkiye) and are linked together by a good future."
