Supporting Democratic Development

Ffo

21 April 2011

press release

In talks with the Egyptian government in Cairo, Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle promoted continuing with the process of democratization and promised economic support. It is already his second visit to Egypt since the successful revolution in February.

With a visit in a critical phase of the process of radical change, the Federal Foreign Minister again showed support for democratic change in Egypt. Especially the transformation partnership offered by Germany and the EU was to be advanced in order to strengthen structures for democracy, rule of law, and civil society in the country.

Egypt as a key country

With Egyptian Prime Minister Sharaf The Federal Foreign Minister said that Egypt was a key country for further developments in the Arab world: “Whether the Arab spring will be followed by a summer or a return to winter will be decided here in Egypt.”

Germany was counting on Egypt sticking to the democratic time table. Germany would stand at Egypt’s side so that the revolution towards democracy could also be successful.

Democracy and economic development

This development needed “tangible results” for the people, emphasized Westerwelle. For that reason, Germany was available as a partner not only for democratic but also economic development. “Economically sound development and continuing on a clear democratic course cannot be separated,” said Westerwelle.

Germany would use its influence in the European Union to intensify trade with a democratic Egypt and put easier access to markets for Egyptian products on the agenda.

Steps forward and steps back

Westerwelle praised the steps forward already taken by the new leadership, such as anti-corruption measures and reviewing past cases of corruption.

In Cairo Westerwelle said that in revolutionary phases there are naturally steps forwards and backwards, such as the sentence given to the blogger Nabil or the Egyptian authorities’ violence towards protesters in Tahrir Square. “It is all the more important for us to encourage those people who are bringing the democratic process forward.”

Egypt and the region

With his Egyptian counterpart Nabil El-Araby Westerwelle also discussed regional issues. Both sides agreed to do their best to promote the Middle East Peace Process. Egypt was also a crucially important country for the Middle East Peace Process, he said. For that reason it was also very important that also a democratic Egypt promise to adhere to all international commitments and also not call the agreements with Israel into question.

As for Libya, Germany will not abandon the people in Misurata. Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has decided to increase humanitarian aid by approximately 2 million euro, bringing the total amount to 7 million euro. Among other things, the money will go to support the work of the International Organization for Migration (IOM): it will be used for the evacuation of people from Misurata and to deliver relief supplies to the city.

In addition to meeting with Foreign Minister Nabil El-Araby on 19 April in Cairo, Westerwelle also met with Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf and representatives of the National Human Rights Council. After that, the Federal Foreign Minister travelled on to Abu Dhabi, where he will take part in the meeting between European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers on 20 April.

Already during his last visit to Cairo on 23 and 24 February 2011, Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle held talks with the new Egyptian leadership on the transformation partnership. Concrete projects to strengthen civil society and the rule of law should ensure that the political change in the country also improves life prospects for the people, thus becoming irreversible.

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