Brussels, 02/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - Since 20 June, many European leaders have voiced their concern at the situation in Egypt, calling for calm and dialogue. The Egyptian opposition has called for Egypt's President Morsi to resign before 2 July, and the army has threatened to take action “if the demands of the people are not satisfied in the next 48 hours”. Resignations within the government are increasing.
“The EU is following the situation inside Egypt very closely, and takes note of the deadlines and ultimatum that have been given”, said Michael Mann, the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, on Tuesday 2 July. “The only possible solution is political and must be based on a consensus agreed by all parties. Egypt must continue its transition towards democracy”, Mann added. He reiterated the EU's call to all parties “to respect the principles of peaceful and non-violent demonstrations”.
Opening the European Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg on 1 July, President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz called on the different parties “to refrain from all acts of violence”, and he said that the European Parliament is following the situation closely. The leader of the S&D Group, Hannes Swoboda, urged Morsi to halt the violence immediately. “The government should organise inter-party talks immediately and find a peaceful compromise”, he added. In Swoboda's view, “any intervention from the Egyptian army would be unacceptable. Egypt must not go backwards in time or return to the military leaders who dominate political life”. The European Parliament will debate the situation in plenary on Wednesday 3 July.
Several European ministers for foreign affairs have also called for calm. William Hague from the UK said he is concerned by the situation, and that it is vital that it be resolved peacefully and in a way that supports the democratic transition. Sweden's Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said that Egypt, in its difficult situation, must find a path to follow as part of the democratic process, and that anything other than this is unthinkable.
Belgium's Foreign Minister Didier Reynders called on all parties to be calm and restrained. He asks them to resume the dialogue so that everything can be done to lead Egypt and its population toward democratic transition and economic recovery. He added that he is concerned by the acts of violence at some demonstrations and he said he is following the situation very carefully. France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said that it is the responsibility and duty of the elected democratic Egyptian authorities to listen to the legitimate concerns of the Egyptian people, taking strong measures to create the conditions for a new consensus. He urged all the parties to act in the necessary spirit of compromise for the success of the ideas of the revolution of 25 January.
The spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called on Morsi, on 2 July, to listen to the demands and wishes expressed by the Egyptian people during the enormous demonstrations of recent days. He also urged all the political parties and all the social organisations to start a national dialogue immediately in order to find a solution to the political crisis and to avoid an escalation in violence. (CG/transl.fl)