Brussels, 04/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 4 February EU heads of state and government said that the “deteriorating situation” in Egypt was of the “utmost concern” and called on the Egyptian authorities “to meet the aspirations of the Egyptian people with political reform not repression”. Defending the position advocated by the EU over the last few days, the EU27 are still not explicitly calling for the departure of President Hosni Mubarak but insist that the “transition process must start now”. The language adopted effectively constitutes a compromise between the position of certain member states, which would have liked a more explicit reference to the necessity of the Egyptian president leaving power immediately and other countries, such as Italy, which think that transition should take place “without breaking with President Mubarak”. On Friday, Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister said that President Mubarak was a “wise man and reference point in the Middle East” and should remain in his post during the transition period of his country towards democracy. Even though everyone believes that Mubarak's time is over (as explained by a European diplomat), it is not up to the EU to tell the Egyptian president that he has to leave, explained the EU. Addressing the press, German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that “we cannot publicly interfere in this issue”.
All the different parties, the government and opposition, must enter into dialogue, show restraint, avoid further violence and begin an orderly transition to a broad based government, urge the leaders in their conclusions. EU leaders provided assurances that the EU is prepared to enter into a “new partnership”, accompanied by additional aid, with all the countries of the region pursuing political and economic reforms.
Mandate for Catherine Ashton. The Union's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy will be visiting Egypt and Tunisia very soon and is called on by the summit to prepare a “package of measures” to support transition and the transformation process in Egypt, Tunisia and other countries in the Arab-Mediterranean region. Leaders also identified priority measures on which this aid should be focused: strengthening democratic institutions, promoting democratic governance and social justice, preparation of free and fair elections. European leaders are asking for the European neighbourhood policy (ENP) to be adapted to take these objectives into account and to link the European neighbourhood policy and Union for the Mediterranean more to these objectives. They would also like these measures to be directed to promoting trade and investment in the region and for improving socio-economic prospects and opportunities for the people there. Catherine Ashton and the Commission have been called on to “adapt rapidly the instruments of the EU” in order to provide humanitarian aid where it is necessary. They are also urged to “propose measures and projects to stimulate cooperation, exchange and investment in the region … including advanced status for Tunisia”.
The EU27 strongly condemn the violence used against demonstrators and reiterate “the right of all citizens to demonstrate freely and peacefully under due protection from law enforcement authorities”. They have also described all attempts by the Egyptian authorities to restrict freedom of information as “unacceptable”. They underline that aggression and intimidation against journalists working in Egypt is “unacceptable”.
EU leaders consider that citizens' democratic aspirations should be addressed through substantial democratic reform with full respect to human rights and fundamental freedoms through free and fair elections. The EU is prepared and determined to give its full support to the transition process towards economic governance, better economic prospects, pluralism, improved social inclusion, as well as greater regional stability, affirm the heads of state and government in their conclusions.
Catherine Ashton briefed by Omar Suleiman on ongoing “reforms”
According to a press release from the EU high representative for foreign affairs on Thursday 3 February, on the eve of the European summit, Catherine Ashton had a telephone conversation with Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman, who outlined the steps being taken by the Egyptian government to advance the dialogue with all the opposition groups. The Egyptian vice president also presented Ashton with “a roadmap of reforms leading to the presidential elections in September”. According to the declaration from Ashton, Suleiman announced that the “government is in the process of setting up three committees: on constitutional reform, economic reform and public order”, and “has invited all the political forces to join in a National Dialogue and agree on a roadmap of reforms”. The high representative is presently only willing to repeat the EU's position advocated over the last few days which underlines “the need for an orderly transition” and “concrete and decisive measures now”. (H.B./transl.fl)