German Economic Cooperation and Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul has paid tribute to Syria's efforts in caring for Iraqi refugees, but has also stressed the need for political reform during a visit to the country, the ministry said in Berlin Wednesday, according to dpa. Noting that Syria was daily taking in some 2,000 refugees from Iraq, Wieczorek-Zeul said the flood of refugees represented a "big challenge for Syria's economy and society." Germany has made available some 4 million euros (5.5 million dollars) for building schools for Iraqi and Syrian children. Wieczorek-Zeul said Syria had made "substantial progress" in an economic reform programme, on which it is being advised by German officials. "We will continue to support Syria in implementing reforms, in particular in the expectation that political reform, the strengthening of the rule of law and of civil society as well of human rights will follow economic reform," the minister said.
