|
The EU/Egypt Association Agreement: A reason to celebrate
Today, the Association Agreement between the European Union
and Egypt enters into force. It is the beginning of a new
partnership between two important actors on the
international scene who both stand to gain greatly from
strong, comprehensive and trusting relations. I am happy to
say that our negotiators have been ambitious: the
Association Agreement is not focused on any specific sector;
it is not concluded for short-term gain (although there will
be immediate benefits), but is an attempt to create the
“ties that bind”, a long-lasting commitment in a spirit of
mutual respect. We seek over time to build a qualitatively
different relationship between Egypt, a country of great
prestige and arguably the longest history in the world, and
the European Union, a novel political entity which is itself
only just emerging as a player on the international scene.
As part of the Barcelona process to which the European Union
remains fully committed, the Association Agreement is part
of the wider objective to eventually create a
European-Mediterranean space of peace, prosperity and
cooperation. We all know that the current circumstances make
this goal seem a distant prospect. We are all keenly aware
that the current situation is dangerous. But this must not
deter us from continuing to lay the ground-work for
fundamental change. There is no military solution to
political problems; violence will not achieve anything
lasting. We must always try to work for a better world, and
not give ourselves over to introverted despair. So today,
among other things, we have to see what we can rescue from
what is left of the Middle East Peace Process. It is not a
very encouraging prospect. But what alternative is there?
And we must strengthen the bilateral relationships between
the European Union and our partners on the other side of the
Mediterranean. In this endeavour, I believe that the
Association Agreement with Egypt, a natural leader in the
region, is a key element.
The Association Agreement has immediately tangible benefits:
it creates a free-trade zone which will be gradually
implemented in stages, maintaining the protection of the
consumer goods market of Egypt for a considerable time and
focusing initially on reducing tariffs on raw materials and
components. This allows Egypt time to modernise its economy,
in line with its own policies and objectives, whilst making
use of lower costs for necessary imports. The market for
Egyptian goods, in particular agricultural goods, will also
grow, the more so as the EU now comprises 25 Member States –
the largest single market in the world. As the EU is already
Egypt’s main trading partner, the Agreement will build on
sound foundations.
But the Association Agreement is far more than just a trade
agreement. It covers political relations with no topic
excluded; it refers explicitly to the importance of respect
for human rights; it includes issues of cultural dialogue.
In truth, the Agreement foresees possible action in nearly
every field of political and economic life which is of
interest to both sides. Peace and human rights, energy and
transport, migration and social matters, investment and
research, education and environment: there is hardly a
subject that is excluded from possible cooperation. I say
“possible”, because nothing is guaranteed either. The two
parties will set up a number of groups to study all
possibilities and to prepare and carry out practical
co-operation activities. Ultimately, the closeness of our
partnership will depend on the willingness on both sides to
engage deeply with one another. And this is perhaps the real
beauty of the agreement: nothing can be forced on the other;
much can be achieved by mutual consent.
I believe it is in our interest to engage in this manner.
Egypt, a leader in its region, is undertaking reform; it is
up to Egypt to define its path, but we are willing to
support the movement and the Association Agreement can be a
useful tool. Stronger relations with Europe as a whole also
adds to Egypt’s extensive ties with the international
community. For the Union, the stability of its neighbours is
of paramount importance, and therefore its relations with
Egypt, a stabilizing force in the region, matter greatly.
The EU believes international relations should be based as
much as possible on partnership treaties and international
law – a recipe that stems from our own experience of
successfully rebuilding a devastated continent after the
Second World War, but a recipe which we genuinely believe
can be used, with the necessary adaptations, beyond Europe.
The Association Agreement is an expression of this
philosophy.
In an increasingly inter-dependent world, where the forces
of science and technology pull us together despite our
different beliefs and traditions, we need much deeper
cooperation if we are to live together as good neighbours.
Therefore, we do need to get to know each other much better.
The Association is a tool – only one tool, albeit an
important one – to achieve this. It holds out a great
promise, if we manage to seize the opportunities it offers.
Therefore, I believe today is indeed a day worth celebrating
in the relationship between Egypt and Europe. |
