Quotes

“We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to build deep and lasting democracy and prosperity in the Southern Mediterranean – doing so will require vision, perseverance and a team effort from all of Europe's institutions.”

"The EU needs to be an active, ambitious and cohesive force, which upholds the values on which it was built. We need to help our Eastern and Southern neighbours in their fight for human dignity, freedom and democracy... Today, we can do what Robert Schuman did in 1950: reach our hand to those who share our dreams, but who have not been on the winning side of history. The people of Belarus, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria and so many other countries ask for our solidarity."

“The determination of the Egyptian people to defend their democratic aspirations and move from authoritarian rule to genuine multiparty democracy is humbling and commendable. Since the beginning of the uprising, the EU has been very clear in urging the Egyptian authorities to listen to the voices of the Egyptian people.”

“Egypt's future lies in the hands of the Egyptians and it is the Egyptian people alone who can establish and maintain a stable and democratic society. However, the EU, as a neighbour and partner, stands ready to lend support in this crucial and irreversible process."

“The demonstrators on the streets of Tunis, Cairo and elsewhere have clearly expressed that human dignity and the universal values attached to it belong to nobody. This is why I am deeply attached to referring to them as shared values between the European Union and its neighbours — and this is much more than a semantic difference.”

“We would like one day to see products made in Agadir Zone, using accumulation of origin rules from industries in the four member states, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia and Morocco.”

“The EU is committed to offer a new partnership providing more effective support to those countries in the Southern Neighbourhood pursuing political and economic reforms. I have listened attentively to Egyptian requests and the EU is ready to review, adapt and mobilize appropriate support.”

“The European Union has already in place a wide portfolio of programmes in Egypt and spends close to €150 million a year there. For several years, we have been financing projects on democratic reform, good governance and respect for human rights. € 40 million were allocated to this objective in 2007-2010 and € 50 million are planned for 2011-2013. We also have more funds mobilised, in particular for civil society, through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).”

“We are at the beginning of what might become a renewed partnership between the Northern and Southern shores of the Mediterranean, a partnership that will be based on truly shared values: justice and peace, democracy and freedom. This will be a partnership of the people, by the people and for the people.”

“In North Africa and the wider Middle East we are seeing demonstrations of the basic wish for people to be guaranteed political participation, fundamental freedoms, social justice and economic development. Our position is clear: the democratic aspirations of citizens must be met through dialogue, genuine political reform, and free and fair elections that are well-prepared.”

“The legitimate grievances of the Egyptian people should be responded to – their aspirations for a just, for a better future should be met with urgent, concrete and decisive answers and with real steps.”

“Long-established Christian communities in the Middle East face difficulties, which have led to significant displacement in some countries and dwindling numbers in the region as a whole. The EU will not turn a blind eye to their plight. We consider their demand to have their rights respected as citizens of their own country as entirely legitimate.”

"I applaud Egypt’s continued drive to reduce poverty and your commitment to reduce the numbers of those living in poverty to 6% of the population by 2022. Ensuring that the benefits of economic reform and growth are felt by all parts of society, particularly in vulnerable rural areas, will be important in meeting this ambitious target."

"At the end of the first phase, we started to feel a change in approach, before; it was always the project who took the initiative to send experts. Today, increasingly, it’s the beneficiaries who ask for our assistance.”

“The priority of EuroMed Heritage IV is the appropriation of cultural heritage by the populations within Mediterranean countries”

“We are seeking to apply motorways of the sea solutions for all the links in the chain”

“The accomplishment of the common aviation area objectives will have an impact beyond the transport and economic sectors.”

“A partnership between the Arab world and Europe is not only possible but essential”

“The Long Term Strategy for Water in the Mediterranean will tackle problems that go beyond the means of any one country, organisation or initiative, in particular those related to the impact of climate change and environmental needs, that call for a co-ordinated approach and increased cooperation.”

“[The Union for the Mediterranean] can play an important role in addressing common challenges facing the Euro-Mediterranean region, such as economic and social development; world food security crisis; degradation of the environment, including climate change and desertification, with the view of promoting sustainable development; energy; migration; terrorism and extremism; as well as promoting dialogue between cultures.”

“Foreign investors have a lot to gain from working with people who know the local marketplace, while foreign businesses can bring the technology, human resources skills, training and quality control that our businesses need to compete successfully in world markets. ANIMA’s cooperation has been a win-win for Egypt.”