XL - Eiropas Parlaments - Europa

16-02-2011 109
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Ioannis Kasoulides (PPE). – Mr President, the departure of Hosni Mubarak signals the transition towards a pluralist
democracy responding to the aspirations of the Egyptian people.
The Egyptian armed forces now have the responsibility of leading their country, in a short period of time, towards genuine
democracy, the rule of law with an independent judiciary, good governance and accountability on suspected cases of
corruption. The military leadership is cautioned not to disappoint the youth, who were at the forefront of the
demonstrations and whose representatives should be called upon to play their role in building democracy during the
transition.
The message of Egypt is a message for the whole Arab world. The Arab countries are our partners; we have no intention of
patronising them or imposing anything from the outside. However, the message for them, as sent by the Egyptians and the
Tunisians, is: ‘Reform and reform now. Democratise, govern well, fight corruption or face the wrath of the people.’
This message is not only for the Arab world. Yesterday it was relayed in Diyarbakir in Turkey, and in Teheran and other
Iranian cities. The people can do it!
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Richard Howitt (S&D). – Mr President, I am delighted that the High Representative will be the first and most senior
foreign diplomat to visit Egypt, and following this debate she will take with her Parliament’s support for the immediate
release of political prisoners, for legal accountability for those responsible for the violent suppression of peaceful protest
and for an asset freeze and other actions for the authors of past human rights abuse.
Commissioner, this was the social media revolution, planned in an internet cafe, with Wael Ghonim of Google one of its
heroes. But companies like Vodafone must learn the lesson of turning off their services and we should call on them to join
the global network initiative alongside human rights organisations to show that they will defend the principle of freedom
of expression where it is under threat.
Finally, this Parliament was shy of discussing Tunisia; we debated Tunisia as Egyptians took to the streets and today
debate Egypt when perhaps we should be asking ourselves how we can better support democratic transition now in
Yemen, Syria, Libya and elsewhere in the Arab world before people have to die in the streets of their capitals to shame
Europe and the world into so doing.
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Marielle De Sarnez (ALDE). – Monsieur le Président, je crois que l'histoire ne nous pardonnerait pas si nous n'étions pas
à la hauteur des événements qui viennent de se produire et qui vont continuer à se produire. Je crois donc qu'il est très
important que l'Union européenne soit capable de tirer rapidement les leçons de son relatif effacement, pour le dire
gentiment, au moment des événements récents.
C'est pourquoi je crois que nous devons vraiment mettre le paquet, que nous devons soutenir totalement, pleinement le
processus de transition démocratique, que ce soit en Tunisie ou en Égypte, que nous devons être du côté de ces peuples et
le leur dire, que nous devons tout faire pour que ce soit un État de droit qui sorte renforcé de ces révolutions, de ces
changements, notamment pour l'Égypte. Je crois que seul un État de droit sera un élément de stabilité et de stabilisation
pour l'ensemble de cette région. Donc c'est dire combien c'est important! Nous devons organiser une conférence des
donateurs et, surtout, n'ayons pas peur! Ces révolutions sont des révolutions laïques d'Égyptiens et de Tunisiens qui
veulent simplement la démocratie et le développement, l'un n'allant pas sans l'autre. Mais révisons notre politique de
voisinage et explorons la question des relations d'État à État, mais également d'opinion publique à opinion publique. C'est
le rôle notamment du Parlement européen.
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Sajjad Karim (ECR). – Mr President, today we are having a very different debate to the one that took place only a matter
of days ago in this Chamber. It is essential that the people of Egypt should know that we are standing by them. I welcome
the fact that our High Representative is currently in that part of the world.
The people of Egypt are now reliant upon the army to come forward and deliver free and fair elections, to bring about the
sort of society that they have paid for with their lives and blood. It is now for the international community to make sure
that we step in to help them build their institutions and allow the political parties to come forward and take part in those
election processes. I hope that the European Union will play its part in that.
Finally, Commissioner, the siphoning-off of funds by leaders in developing countries is something we are only too well
aware of. It is about time that Europe said that we refuse to be used as a vehicle for such people to park their funds any
more.
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