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Austrian chancellor defends contribution to Syrian donor conference

Xinhua, February 5, 2016 Adjust font size:

Austria Chancellor Werner Faymann defended the decision of his government not to increase its contribution to the Syrian donors conference on Thursday from its previously announced 60 million euros (67 million U.S. dollars).

Faymann said in an interview with radio program Oe1 Mittagsjournal concerning the conference, that with a 60-million-euro donation, along with a 40-million-euro contribution as part of what the EU is providing to Syria in aid separate to the donors conference, he believes it is presently enough.

"One has to to say, for over 100 million you have to first earn it to be able to spend it," he said.

He also pointed out Austria's efforts to "help when it matters" in the refugee crisis, saying that relative to its size as a country it has been "strongly engaged," and has shown itself to be a "model of solidarity."

Local media reported that according to Faymann's chancellery office, the 60 million euros in aid will flow to recipients until 2019. The largest portion, 45.6 million euros, will be part of the three-billion-euro aid package the EU will provide to the Turkish government for refugee support. (1 euro = 1.12 U.S. dollars) Endit