(ANSAmed) - ROME, MAY 15 - The ''natural pact'' the European
Union could close with the Arab world, after the 2011 uprisings,
is based on respect for the right of minority groups in exchange
for aid. In other words, the countries that have gone through
the Arab Spring will receive assistance, but only under certain
conditions.
This idea was explained by the Italian foreign ministry's special envoy for the Mediterranean countries, Maurizio Massari, during the conference ''The Middle East Revolutions: the Iranian Question, the Arab World and the West." The meeting has taken place in Rome and has beeb attended by many members of the International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians (ICJP), chaired by MP Fiamma Nirenstein.
The democratic transition in these countries, Massari pointed out, is happening at various speeds. But there is no reason to be pessimistic, as many are after the elections in Tunisia and Egypt in which the Islamic parties came to power, or in Morocco.
''Democracy is not perfect,'' Massari said, explaining that ''the relations with Israel are a good way to measure the degree of democracy a country has reached." But the EU is not involved in this process. ''The EU,'' the diplomat continued, ''must give an answer to the Middle East questions. The eurozone crisis cannot be used as an alibi to keep a low profile in the region. Brussels must face four challenges: the transition of the Arab Spring countries, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; Iran and Syria." And the EU has not done enough, particularly regarding Syria.
''Not all European embassies have been closed and no special representative for Syria has been appointed." Much more must be done, he concluded. (ANSAmed).
This idea was explained by the Italian foreign ministry's special envoy for the Mediterranean countries, Maurizio Massari, during the conference ''The Middle East Revolutions: the Iranian Question, the Arab World and the West." The meeting has taken place in Rome and has beeb attended by many members of the International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians (ICJP), chaired by MP Fiamma Nirenstein.
The democratic transition in these countries, Massari pointed out, is happening at various speeds. But there is no reason to be pessimistic, as many are after the elections in Tunisia and Egypt in which the Islamic parties came to power, or in Morocco.
''Democracy is not perfect,'' Massari said, explaining that ''the relations with Israel are a good way to measure the degree of democracy a country has reached." But the EU is not involved in this process. ''The EU,'' the diplomat continued, ''must give an answer to the Middle East questions. The eurozone crisis cannot be used as an alibi to keep a low profile in the region. Brussels must face four challenges: the transition of the Arab Spring countries, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; Iran and Syria." And the EU has not done enough, particularly regarding Syria.
''Not all European embassies have been closed and no special representative for Syria has been appointed." Much more must be done, he concluded. (ANSAmed).
