The Foreign Minister of Egypt, Nabil Fahmi, was quizzed by the European Parliament, and called for the support of Europe towards a democratic transition “to become better Egyptians.” Yet, “Egyptians won’t become Europeans, as you won’t become Egyptians.”
The County “has to evolve,” “it is looking for his political identity” and Europe can give a significant contribution: “Help us becoming better Egyptians.” This is the request made by the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Nabil Fahmi, to the MEPs of the Foreign Affairs Committee who met him at the Parliament. This is a crucial phase for Egypt, which is getting ready for ballots for the sixth time in a row in about three years, and the objections expressed by MEPs were numerous, especially after the sentencing of 529 Muslim Brothers, supporters of the former President, Mohammed Morsi. Egypt is glad to listen to other opinions, assured Fahmi, “especially the Europeans’ thoughts, given that they are our neighbours,” yet there are limits to be respected. “We are acting within the limits of our system, in respect of our laws,” underlined the Foreign Minister, and the prerequisite to be kept in mind is that “Egyptians won’t become Europeans as you won’t become Egyptians,” he added. That is, Europe needs to understand that it cannot “manage the situation internally,” yet it could offer another kind of help, “aiding the establishment of public authorities,” as Fahmi asked, starting from the Parliament, and the others will follow.
The 529 sentences to death for the convicted Muslim Brothers, ferociously criticized by several MEPs, “are a very severe decision,” said Fahmi, “but I want you to note that there is no final verdict yet, it does not exist.” So far, explained the Minister, the court has sent the Egypt’s Grand Mufti, the highest Sunni official of religious law, the files and asked him to decide whether the death sentence is applicable. The Court will decide on the final conviction when the opinion is drawn, then there will be the possibility of an appeal – after all these steps, the issue will be managed by the Prime Minister, who is to decide whether to confirm the verdict or not. “I respect your opinions on death sentencing,” and “I see your concern for the number of convicted,” said Fahmi, yet “So far the death sentence is part of our law.”
However, several MEPs consider the issue from a far more complex angle than the dire 529 death sentences – it is all about democracy and the rule of law in Egypt. The coup of 3 July 2013, led by Abdul-Fattah al-Sisi, current Defense Minister of the temporary government, who has already announced his candidacy for the Presidential Elections in May, was followed by months of cruel repression against the opposition – particularly against the Muslim Brothers, which were also declared outlaws. “Whoever places national identity at first, respects the Constitution and has a peaceful approach is and will always be welcome in Egypt; otherwise you exclude yourselves from the process,” said Fahmi in relation to the concerns expressed by MEPs. Hence, it’s all Muslim Brothers’ fault: looking carefully, “you will understand their ideology is exclusive, because it exclude the possibility of any disagreement,” added Fahmi. It is now up to them to decide: “If they will have a peaceful approach, they will be involved.”
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