These have been the quite clear words stated by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, Catherine Ashton, following the first part of her visit to Egypt. This first part of the visit, has been the occasion for High Representative Ashton to meet Egypt Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit, as well as with Secretary General of Arab League Amre Moussa.

Over the first meeting of this visit,  EU High Representative Ashton and Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit have discussed both the progress of Egypt towards democracy, and the economic requirements for Egypt. In this issue, Ashton has recalled EU position towards the future of Egypt making a quite clear statement as that “it is for Egypt to determine its future, it is for Egypt to examine with all its expertise the economic issues that it faces”.

In this process, the role of the European Union and the international community must remain to offer support if it is needed and if it is useful, but it will be to Egypt to decide its future. In conversation with Minister Aboul, High Representative Ashton reassured him that the European Union will stand ready to provide any support that will be needed by the people of Egypt, and that work now focuses on making sure that all resources or expertise which could be required are available.

On the economic side, conversations focused, first, on the importance of continuing and always developing foreign direct investment and the potential for the international community. Although the potential suggestion to deliver such investment remains on ministers, the EU will always support actions on that direction. Second, conversations addressed the role of the European Investment Bank to increase its capacity in order to offer addition support to Egypt, should it be required.

EU shared concerns with Arab League about the events in Libya

In addition to the situation in Egypt, High Representative Ashton addressed with Secretary General of Arab League Amre Moussa, the questions of what is happening in the region. They both shared a strong desire and interest to see the Middle East Peace Process move forward, and expressed their concern about what is happening in Libya. Ashton reminded the statement made by 27 Foreign Ministers expressing great concern and calling for the violence to stop immediately.

High Representative also informed that the Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon, was in a long conversation with President Gaddafi on 21 February, and the international community is working together on this.