Speech by Kristian Vigenin in plenary on the situation in Egypt | 12.12.2012
Mr President, when I follow the media reports, I have déjà vu. The president is misusing his power, the people are on Tahir Square, the military is back in the streets; history has come full circle in less than two years. Mubarak is out, Morsi is in. But nothing can repeat itself in the same way. I believe that we all learned our lessons, and if this is the case the EU has to act quickly and decisively and in close cooperation with the United States.
In mid-November, during the successful EU-Egypt task force, we showed an example of what our relations will be if democracy is respected and political reforms continue. Now we have to show an example of what our response will be if democracy is under threat and the rights of the people are violated. Now the pro-democratic forces need adequate support in their fight.
This is a crucial moment when our credibility is again being tested. Therefore, I do not completely understand the fact that the Foreign Affairs Council just, I quote, ‘took stock of the latest developments in Egypt’ without any meaningful conclusion or statement. I am afraid that teethless calls for dialogue and responsibility not backed up by action can only encourage those who embark on a dangerous anti-democratic path.
In a few days Egypt will wake up with a dubious Constitution which will become the foundation of all future developments. Will the Council again simply take stock of it or will they be able to take a position? I know very well that democracy cannot be built overnight but I refuse to pretend I am blind when I see developments in the opposite direction.