Brussels, 12/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 12 September, the European Parliament gave its support to the conclusions on Egypt reached by the special EU Foreign Affairs Council on 21 August (see EUROPE 10904).
Adopting a joint resolution, MEPs welcome the Council's decision to suspend export licences to Egypt for all equipment that could be used for internal repression, to review export licences for other military equipment and assistance provided in the field of security, and also to continue providing European aid in the socio-economic sector and to civil society. They call for measures to be taken in order to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the use of funds granted by the EU to Egypt. MEPs also hail the efforts of mediation made by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and her team.
Voicing its concern, Parliament calls on the Egyptian authorities to put an end to the state of emergency as soon as possible, to release all political prisoners and to transfer the power to democratically-elected civilian authorities. MEPs call for the democratic process to be reactivated with all haste, including with the holding of “free and fair” presidential and legislative elections within the framework of a fully inclusive process, the drafting and reform of the constitution, and governance and economic reforms.
Furthermore, condemning the violence and disproportionate use of force by security forces, MEPs urge all political players and all security forces to show proof of great restraint and not to give way to provocation of any kind, so that further violence may be prevented. The interim authorities and the army have a duty to ensure the security of all citizens in the country, they point out. MEPs invite the Egyptian authorities to set up an “independent investigation of all killings”, as promised on 8 July. The Parliament condemns the acts of violence against the Coptic community and the acts of terrorism.
Finally, MEPs reiterate how important it is for civil society, the trade unions and the media to be able to freely carry out their activities without government interference. (CG/transl.jl)