At a European Parliament hearing on ‘the Arab revolutions: One year later’, Bernardino León, the EU Special Representative for the South Mediterranean region argued that the EU, together with other partners, is actively engaging to change the paradigm in the region. Organized by the Parliament’s Foreign Affairs committee (AFET) the hearing involved representatives of national parliaments. The US Ambassador William Taylor, Special Coordinator for Middle East Transition, emphasized that it was crucial to strengthen institutions within the region, ensure respect for human and minority rights, as well as to strengthen justice and the rule of law.

Members of the European and national parliaments have engaged in the discussion raising questions and exchanging views. Charles Goerens MEP argued that these revolutions are a process in themselves that takes time, and that set-backs can be expected with regards to the democratic transition. Moreover, he pointed to the sensitive issue of aid delivery to African countries where conditionalities are imposed while there is an ongoing democratic transition process underway in some countries.

A representative from Slovenia argued that these transition processes can create expectations but also disappointments. In this respect, the assistance to countries and peoples should be provided in a spirit of partnership and not by imposition. Nevertheless, human rights and the rule of law are some of the conditions more widely supported by the speakers in the hearing.

An Italian representative flagged the still ongoing double standard approach to different relations. He pointed to the US as a country that sells arms to monarchies which are ambiguous with regards to their democratic advancement and stressed that the EU doesn’t even have a coherent strategy on the matter.

EU Special Representative Bernardino León concluded by saying that cooperation with the Gulf region is based on the three-M approach: money, mobility and markets. Moreover, he said that there is no need to change the EU foreign policy in the region as the countries are on the right path to democracy. In addition, he argued that partnerships need to be created with all actors — secular and religious — using Turkey as a positive example of such reconciliatory approaches.

Sources:

• European Commission - Audiovisual Service
• European Parliament - Committees - Foreign Affairs