Brussels, 13/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 13 March 2013, MEPs expressed concern about the situation in Egypt, where things are not going well for human rights, particularly those of women and minorities.
MEPs like Véronique de Keyser (S&D, Belgium) and Marietje Schaake (ADLE, the Netherlands) wondered about the application of “more for more”. Schaake said there should not be any EU funding until progress is made on human rights, the rule of law, women and minority rights, explaining that the rights of the Egyptian people must be protected from the new laws that would prevent civil society from playing its role. De Keyser called for very clear EU objectives, such as aid to go to targeted groups important to the EU, like women, for joint work to be undertaken to recover assets taken by the Mubarek regime and deposited in banks around Europe. We must continue to back people calling for Egypt to have a secular constitution, the full rule of law and no sectarianism, said Willy Meyer (GUE/NGL, Spain). Several MEPs called on the EU to stand its ground on opposition to the death penalty - several Egyptians have been condemned to death after violence in Port Said.
José Ignacio Salafranca (EPP, Spain), Judith Sargentini (Greens/EFA, the Netherlands) and Fiorello Provera (EFD, Italy) highlighted the deterioration in the Egyptian economy and the fact the country now has a deficit of 12-13%. Salafranca pointed out that the IMF and the United States had not yet released any aid. Sargentini said that the €5 billion promised by the EU was still in Europe because this cash, a mixture of aid and loans, is conditional upon agreement being signed by Egypt and the IMF (and other criteria). Provera added that there had been a collapse in foreign direct investment and falling numbers of tourists, a crucial resource for the Egyptian economy.
MEPs explained that Egypt has an important role to play in the wider region and Geoffrey Van Orden (ECR, UK) said that any hope of progress in the Middle East peace process depends on stability in Egypt and its ability to positively influence the situation.
Sargentini repeated her invitation to the Egyptian president, Mohamed Morsi, to come and address the European Parliament.
EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said that the EU must demonstrate strategic patience when it comes to political change, but must not remain silent about questions like human rights and must meet social and economic expectations. Ashton explained that the EU and Egypt resumed dialogue (under the Association Agreement talks) on 28 February 2013. (CG/transl.fl)