Brussels, 08/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 7 November, members of the civil society of the southern neighbourhood countries of the Mediterranean called for a change in the strategy towards the countries of the region, especially the Arab Spring countries. Speaking at a debate at the European Parliament, Tunisian activist Slaheddine Jourchi said the EU has changed its policy with the Arab world and the countries that have gone through revolution but that the strategy remains the same.
He went on to add that what was being sought was not for some aspects of the policy to be changed but for the strategy itself to be changed. Europe, he went on, will not overcome its problems without integrating the southern rim of the Mediterranean in the context of a comprehensive economic and political vision. This could be done, he explained, by deepening the Arab world's comprehension of the EU. In Jourchi's view, future relations must be based on legitimacy, democracy and human rights, with mentoring giving way to true partnership.
Jourchi explained it was necessary to link political reforms to economic reforms. Ziad Abdel Samad of Lebanon also placed emphasis on the economic dimension of transition, as did his compatriot, Kinda Mohamadieh, who was convinced that political stability and democratic sustainability mean that the emphasis must be placed on on social and economic rights. Hebatallah Khalil of Egypt took the view that the EU's economic intervention should promote development and the values of human rights and justice, without separating these aspects from the political agenda.
Failure of Arab Spring would bring a chill even to winter
According to Jourchi, relations between the EU and the countries of the Mediterranean are not a choice but a strategic obligation. If democratic transition fails in the countries that have gone through revolution then this could but threaten the security of Europe, he said. He went on to tell MEPs that “we are stretching out our hand to you, so do not let us down”. (CG/transl.jl)