EU To Support Arab Revolutions
The New York Times reports:
BRUSSELS — Slow to react to uprisings in the Arab world and compromised by ties to aged, autocratic rulers, the European Union is now promising full support for democratic reform in Egypt and Tunisia and says it will draw on its own experience of transition from authoritarian governments in Europe.
Seeking to catch up with events, E.U. foreign ministers will promise a “new partnership” with Egypt and Tunisia, to support democracy and the rule of law, according to draft of a declaration due to be issued Monday. It also calls on the Egyptian leadership to start reforms that would pave the way for parliamentary and presidential elections.
Two days of talks aim to set a new direction after the hesitant reaction to the uprisings from European governments, torn between instinctive support for democratic values and worries that change might destabilize the region.
Europe’s contribution will draw “where appropriate on European experience of transition, including support to civil society, youth and enhanced economic cooperation,” the draft declaration says.
Spain and Portugal shed right-wing dictatorships in the 1970s, while 10 former communist countries are now members of the bloc.
A separate discussion document on Egypt suggests the Union could offer loans, make visas more readily available, help prepare for elections and aid an investigation into police abuses during the uprisings.
“The push for change has come from within the society,” says the paper, circulated to E.U. foreign ministers who arrived here Sunday evening. “The EU can only welcome this and present itself as a reliable partner, willing to accompany this process of democratic change based on a participatory approach, pluralism, open economic governance and respect for human rights.”
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