Brussels, 15/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - European Commission President José Manuel Barroso arrived in Cairo on Thursday 14 July for a visit aimed at dialogue and information-gathering in Egypt with the new authorities of the country, civil society representatives and religious leaders, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Dr Aly Gomaa, and Coptic Pope Shenouda. He was accompanied by Philippe Maystadt, EIB President.
In addition to his intention to send a strong message of solidarity, the Commission president and the prominent figures accompanying him expressed a deep wish to understand how things stand in order to contribute to the economic recovery of an Egypt that does not give the impression it has as yet found its equilibrium. Protest on the streets remains considerable. “Our partnership for democracy and shared prosperity is a clear and concrete response to the Arab spring”, Barroso said. This need to convince that Europe has good intentions for solidarity results from the difficulty that the EU seems to encounter when it comes to making any firm pledges for Egypt. On the other hand, Philippe de Fontaine Vive, EIB Vice President, who signed a loan agreement with Tunisia on Tuesday, highlighted Egypt's reaction. While Tunisia has already submitted concrete projects (two approved and financed and two still on the table), Cairo is taking time and not coming up with any concrete answers to European solicitation, and does not seem attracted by the offer. It is said to have indicated its preference for non-reimbursable budgetary support rather than an offer of loans as foreseen in the Deauville Partnership (G8).
“I come to understand your struggle to secure the Revolution's ideas”, Barroso said during a speech in Cairo upon arrival. “As your neighbour, I come here to offer a vote of confidence in the people and the future of Egypt. And, as President of the European Commission, I come here today to gain a better sense of your expectations of the European Union, and to say that Europe is your partner for the long term”, he asserted. Barroso explained that he was there “to listen, not to lecture”. Europe, he said, does not plan to interfere in Egyptian affairs. He went on to say that, in the past, there has been a tendency to prefer stability to democracy but that, now, stability means democracy.
President Barroso then went on to speak at length of the way Europe perceives democracy and peace. He spoke of the aid chapter which counts on new instruments. The first is a programme that the European Commission is preparing entitled “SPRING” (Support for Partnership, Reform and Inclusive Growth), which will be launched in September with an initial amount of €350 million in grants and specific focus on democratisation and economic growth. The Commission hopes this will address core issues of transition. Barroso went on to add: “It is our intention to extend this to €500 million for the period 2011-2013”. The EU will also have the initiative “European Endowment for Democracy”, the details of which are being finalised. He described this as a “new independent body dedicated to helping people find their authentic democratic voices”. At bilateral level, with Egypt, the EU will “massively increase support” for the participation of Egypt and other partner countries in the Erasmus and Marie Curie education programmes. “Overall”, he said, “there will be a 40% increase in funds starting from September 2011”. The EU is also proposing to set up partnerships with a few selected countries of the southern Mediterranean rim. One such country is Egypt, to allow for Egypt's young people to have the chance to travel and study in Europe, for businessmen to trade and for intellectuals/artists to interact. “The Mediterranean must be a sea that unites us and not separates us. But we have to manage these flows in an organised and safe way”, Barroso said. (F.B./transl.jl)