BRUSSELS. April 25 (Interfax) - Russia believes a significant share of the international community's donated aid for Syrian people does not reach the addressees, as it is provided not directly to the Syrian government but sent through neighboring countries, Russian Permanent Representative to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov said.
"This money isn't spent on the country's reconstruction," Chizhov, who is leading the Russian delegation at the EU and UN conference on "supporting the future of Syria and the region" in Brussels, said on Wednesday.
"This money is earmarked for humanitarian aid, which comes to Syria through various channels, namely through the UN and institutions affiliated with it, through the Red Cross and Red Crescent. And quite a significant portion of the funding allocated by the EU (I won't name the percentage, but it's quite significant) reaches neighboring countries, where quite a lot of Syrian refugees are staying, particularly Jordan and Lebanon," he said.
"It is time for the international community to make the courageous decision to help Syria and its people bring their country together again, ensure peace, and start restoring the country," Chizhov said.
The EU and its members are the principal donors to Syria and the region. Since 2011, they have raised over 10.6 billion euros for humanitarian aid and the promotion of stabilization.