EN Council conclusions on Egypt - Europa
EN Council conclusions on Egypt - Europa
EN Council conclusions on Egypt - Europa
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COUCIL OF<br />
THE EUROPEA UIO<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>EN</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
The <str<strong>on</strong>g>Council</str<strong>on</strong>g> adopted the following <str<strong>on</strong>g>c<strong>on</strong>clusi<strong>on</strong>s</str<strong>on</strong>g>:<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Council</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>c<strong>on</strong>clusi<strong>on</strong>s</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>Egypt</strong><br />
FOREIG AFFAIRS <str<strong>on</strong>g>Council</str<strong>on</strong>g> meeting<br />
Brussels, 10 February 2014<br />
"1. Three years have passed since <strong>Egypt</strong>ians from all walks of life rose against a repressive<br />
regime calling for freedom, human dignity, social justice and a better ec<strong>on</strong>omy. The EU<br />
regards <strong>Egypt</strong> as an important neighbour and partner and has been standing by the <strong>Egypt</strong>ian<br />
people throughout the transiti<strong>on</strong> period and remains committed in its support to them.<br />
2. The EU reaffirms the importance of its relati<strong>on</strong>ship with <strong>Egypt</strong> and the c<strong>on</strong>tinued support it<br />
gives to the <strong>Egypt</strong>ian people in their desire to establish a democratic and prosperous society<br />
that enshrines dignity, the rule of law and respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights.<br />
3. The EU takes positive note of the adopti<strong>on</strong> of the new C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> by referendum <strong>on</strong> 14 and<br />
15 January. An important step of the road map has been achieved. However, the EU deplores<br />
the absence of a fully inclusive process, the lack of attempts to overcome the polarizati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
society and the closing of political space for dissenting opini<strong>on</strong> before and during the<br />
referendum. It is now important that the remaining steps of the road map are implemented, in<br />
particular by finalizing the electoral cycle, the media code of ethics, empowering youth in the<br />
political process and the establishment of a higher commissi<strong>on</strong> for nati<strong>on</strong>al rec<strong>on</strong>ciliati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
4. The EU welcomes that the new C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> enshrines human rights and fundamental<br />
freedoms, including freedom of expressi<strong>on</strong>, assembly and women's rights. Existing and future<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>al legislati<strong>on</strong> has to be in full compliance and implemented in line with the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong><br />
and internati<strong>on</strong>al standards. The EU encourages the <strong>Egypt</strong>ian interim authorities to cooperate<br />
with the Office the High Commissi<strong>on</strong>er for Human Rights and looks forward to the opening<br />
of the regi<strong>on</strong>al office in <strong>Egypt</strong>. The C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> should be applied in a way that ensures full<br />
civilian c<strong>on</strong>trol over all branches of government, and civilians should be tried in civilian<br />
courts at all times.<br />
P R E S S<br />
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5. The EU c<strong>on</strong>demns in the clearest possible terms all acts of violence. It is therefore with great<br />
c<strong>on</strong>cern that the EU followed the recent violent events and it deplores the loss of life during<br />
the c<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>al referendum, and <strong>on</strong> the occasi<strong>on</strong> of the third anniversary of the <strong>Egypt</strong>ian<br />
revoluti<strong>on</strong>, including from the disproporti<strong>on</strong>ate use of force and of live ammuniti<strong>on</strong>. In this<br />
c<strong>on</strong>text, the EU takes note that the killing of protesters and security forces during violent<br />
events since 30 June 2013 have not been investigated, and calls <strong>on</strong> the <strong>Egypt</strong>ian interim<br />
government to act <strong>on</strong> its promise and complete a transparent and independent investigati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
6. The EU c<strong>on</strong>demns in the str<strong>on</strong>gest possible terms the terrorist attacks in the Sinai and other<br />
parts of <strong>Egypt</strong>, in which a number of civilians and security pers<strong>on</strong>nel have been killed or<br />
injured. No cause can justify terrorist violence. The EU reaffirms its commitment to support<br />
the stability and security in <strong>Egypt</strong>.<br />
7. The EU reiterates its calls <strong>on</strong> all <strong>Egypt</strong>ians to halt the cycle of violence and cease all acti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
that incite further violence, such as provocati<strong>on</strong>s, hate speech - including against Christian<br />
and other religious communities - and political statements that <strong>on</strong>ly serve to increase<br />
polarisati<strong>on</strong>. It is <strong>on</strong>ly then that lasting stability and ec<strong>on</strong>omic recovery can be achieved.<br />
8. The EU welcomes the announcement of electi<strong>on</strong>s and reiterates that <strong>on</strong>ly an inclusive political<br />
process will lead to a democratically elected government and a fair representati<strong>on</strong> of different<br />
political views in the future parliament. The EU also reiterates its readiness to observe the<br />
upcoming electi<strong>on</strong>s, if c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s are met, and calls <strong>on</strong> the <strong>Egypt</strong>ian interim authorities to<br />
ensure an envir<strong>on</strong>ment c<strong>on</strong>ducive to inclusive, transparent and credible electi<strong>on</strong>s, including a<br />
level playing field for the electi<strong>on</strong> campaigns. In view of the recent developments, the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Council</str<strong>on</strong>g> recalls that no political groups should be excluded or banned as l<strong>on</strong>g as they renounce<br />
violence and respect democratic principles. It also recalls that decisi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> the legality of<br />
parties must be based <strong>on</strong> clear evidence and due process of law.<br />
9. The building of a deep and sustainable democracy will <strong>on</strong>ly succeed with the establishment of<br />
democratic, transparent and accountable instituti<strong>on</strong>s that protect all people of <strong>Egypt</strong> and their<br />
fundamental rights. The EU is c<strong>on</strong>cerned about the deteriorating human rights situati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
including the indiscriminate detenti<strong>on</strong> of political oppositi<strong>on</strong> and activists. Freedoms of<br />
expressi<strong>on</strong>, assembly and peaceful protest must be safeguarded. The EU reiterates its support<br />
to and recalls the important role of an active and independent civil society - including NGOs -<br />
as well as the role of the youth, as key comp<strong>on</strong>ents of any democratic society.<br />
10. The EU deplores the deteriorating climate for the press. It calls up<strong>on</strong> the <strong>Egypt</strong>ian interim<br />
authorities and state media to ensure a safe working envir<strong>on</strong>ment for all journalists and to end<br />
politicized arrests as well as intimidati<strong>on</strong> of and incitement against domestic and foreign<br />
journalists.<br />
11. The EU c<strong>on</strong>tinues to be c<strong>on</strong>cerned about selective justice against the political oppositi<strong>on</strong>. The<br />
EU calls <strong>on</strong> the <strong>Egypt</strong>ian interim authorities, in line with internati<strong>on</strong>al standards, to ensure the<br />
defendants' rights to a fair and timely trial based <strong>on</strong> clear charges and proper and independent<br />
investigati<strong>on</strong>s, as well as the right of access and c<strong>on</strong>tact to lawyers and family members.<br />
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12. The EU reiterates its growing c<strong>on</strong>cern over the ec<strong>on</strong>omic situati<strong>on</strong> of the country and the<br />
negative impact <strong>on</strong> the most vulnerable groups of society. The EU recalls the crucial<br />
importance for <strong>Egypt</strong> to undertake necessary, fundamental ec<strong>on</strong>omic reforms to ensure<br />
stability, investment, improved business envir<strong>on</strong>ment, progress towards social justice.<br />
including better access to educati<strong>on</strong>. The EU will c<strong>on</strong>tinue its support towards improving the<br />
social and ec<strong>on</strong>omic c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s of the people, especially the poor, and stands ready to assist<br />
<strong>Egypt</strong> in carrying out these reform measures.<br />
13. The EU stresses the importance of <strong>Egypt</strong>'s c<strong>on</strong>tinued engagement in the regi<strong>on</strong> in order to<br />
enhance stability, peace and prosperity for <strong>Egypt</strong> and its neighbours. To this end, The EU is<br />
committed to work with <strong>Egypt</strong> as a key partner in the regi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
14. The EU reiterates its readiness to assist the people of <strong>Egypt</strong> in their quest for a stable,<br />
inclusive, democratic and prosperous <strong>Egypt</strong>, and the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Council</str<strong>on</strong>g> welcomes the High<br />
Representative's sustained engagement, including her regular visits to the regi<strong>on</strong>. The EU also<br />
reiterates its willingness to maintain dialogue with all political forces that reject violence and<br />
support credible initiatives for dialogue and rec<strong>on</strong>ciliati<strong>on</strong> through the good offices of the<br />
High Representative and the EU Special Representatives.<br />
15. It rec<strong>on</strong>firms the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Council</str<strong>on</strong>g> C<strong>on</strong>clusi<strong>on</strong>s of 21 August 2013."<br />
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