The Heads of State and Government of the EU Member States and the League of Arab States (LAS) agreed at the first ever EU-Arab League Summit to strengthen cooperation between the two regional entities, without omitting their differences.
"It is time to make the partnership between the Arab world and Europe a reality. We face many of the same challenges in a geopolitical context that has become even more dangerous and unstable [...] As close neighbours, we have no choice but to work together", European Council President Donald Tusk told the media.
"We are embarking on a new era of cooperation and coordination", the leaders said in a joint statement entitled "Investing in Stability. "We have expressed our determination to move forward with the deepening of the existing strategic partnership", say the EU and LAS.
The declaration covers topics of common interest, without concrete announcements. "We agreed to further strengthen our cooperation in security, conflict resolution and socio-economic development throughout the region", she summarised.
"Leaders are committed to developing a positive cooperation agenda that goes beyond crisis and conflict management. We want to develop common projects - from energy security to technology, tourism and trade - that will encourage investment and sustainable growth. And we will also work together to ensure the early implementation of the Paris Agreement", summarised Mr Tusk. According to the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, in 2017, trade relations between the EU and LAS Member States amounted to €315 billion.
The declaration returns to migration issues, defending in particular the protection and support of refugees in accordance with international law. Strengthening the fight against irregular migration and intensifying joint efforts to prevent and combat the smuggling of migrants, eradicate trafficking in human beings and combat those who exploit vulnerable persons are also priorities.
The declaration also refers to "threats to international and regional peace and security, including terrorism, radicalisation, destabilising actions, proliferation, illicit arms trafficking and organised crime", "serious problems that require concerted efforts". "We are now on the right track to cooperate in this area. But the path is not simple and easy. This will not happen in the immediate future. We are talking about a long-term effort to deal with major terrorist organisations that have grown enormously in recent years", said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sissi, host of the summit. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation and coordination to address the root causes of terrorism and to continue efforts to combat the movement of foreign terrorist fighters across borders. "A comprehensive approach is needed to address these challenges, including, inter alia, the elimination of all support methods, including financial, political, logistical and military support", the joint text warns.
The declaration also focuses on the defence of effective multilateralism and an international system based on international law and returns to Syria, Yemen, Libya and the situation of the Palestinians.
Both sides also underline their determination to "combat cultural and religious intolerance, extremism, negative stereotypes, stigma and discrimination".
While human rights are repeatedly mentioned in the declaration, Europeans and Arabs have made no secret of their differences on the subject in the media. "You are not going to dictate your humanity to us. We have our own humanity, our own principles, our morality, our values. You have yours, and we respect it. We ask you to respect ours", concluded Mr Al Sissi, who was questioned about human rights in his country and applauded.
The next summit will be held in Brussels in 2022. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)