European Union ministers to review policy on arms exports to Egypt
21 August 2013 News
The foreign ministers of the member states of the European Union have decided to stop the export of equipment that can be used for repression, and to review the bloc’spolicy on arms exports. At an emergency meeting in Brussels, dedicated to the Egyptian crisis, it was agreed to review EU financial aid to Egypt.
The foreign ministers of the EU’s 28 member states reiterated the EU's support for the people of Egypt and the drive for democracy, human rights, dignity and social justice. They urged all sides in Egypt to end the violence, to refrain from provocations and to do everything necessary to restore the political process. The EU strongly condemns all acts of violence and believes that the recent actions of Egyptian security forces have been disproportionate and have led to unacceptably large numbers of dead and injured, the Conclusions of the Councilsaid.
All of this is proof that the European Union is ready to act. At the same time, the EU will continue its efforts to establish a dialogue between the parties to the conflict to return Egypt to the path of a democratic process, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin told reporters in Brussels before the meeting.
Minister Kristian Vigenin expressed concern that if tensions continue to rise, with clashes between supporters of deposed President Morsi and those currently in power, there is a real risk that Egypt could face civil war. It cannot be ruled out that this would lead to a humanitarian crisis. “The EU should try to act in time to stop this happening. The question is what can we do in the interest of the citizens of Egypt,” he said. Bulgaria does not support the idea of stopping the financial aid granted by the EU to Egypt, because this would not solve the problem and would be detrimental to Egyptian citizens.
"The fact that in recent days attacks on Christians and churches have been stepped up indicates that additional religious and ethnic tensionshave been created," the Foreign Ministersaid, associating himself with the position of the Director-General of UNESCO, who has called for an immediate halt to the destruction of the country’s cultural and historical heritage.
Kristian Vigenin said that there could not be a lasting solution to the current situation in Egypt if all parties did not sit at the same table. He said that liberal formations should also be involved, not just the government of the day and the Muslim Brotherhood.