Brussels, 20/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 19 January, the EU and the Arab League strengthened their cooperation by signing a memorandum of understanding on it. During their meeting, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and Secretary General of the League of Arab States Nabil El Araby reasserted “the crucial importance of working together to address the different crises affecting the region”, in Mogherini's words. A fresh summit at ministerial level is scheduled for 2016.
Speaking about how to progress relations between the EU and the Arab League, Mogherini and El Araby believed that the ongoing strategic dialogue on political and security matters, covering cooperation on counter-terrorism, the fight against organised crime or crisis management, would be key - as would stronger cultural dialogue.
Given the current circumstances, Mogherini particularly stressed cooperation between Europe and the Arab world in the fight against terrorism. “Together with the Arab world, we are fully aware that this is not only a military and security fight but also a political and a cultural one. Strengthened dialogue will help us to address this range of issues”, she said. El Araby stated that the Arab League foreign affairs ministers had decided to focus on the cultural issue and education linked to terrorism. A study that contains projects will be carried out in cooperation with scientists. In El Araby's view, the EU foreign affairs ministers, who met on 19 January, said that it would be interesting to organise a joint EU-Arab League meeting on this issue, at least at experts' level.
“We have been suffering from Muslim terrorism for years, although you are only suffering it now. The groups have crossed the Mediterranean”, said El Araby. “We must all unite, cooperate and exchange information. I think this is part of the memorandum of understanding. It is important for all the countries that do not think the situation is acceptable to unite their efforts”, he said.
Mogherini also said that “on Libya, on the Middle East peace process, on the situation in Syria and Iraq, amongst others, we share a common interest in looking for long-lasting solutions to ensure regional peace and security”. (CG)