Europe supports the democratic transformation in Egypt after the 25 January revolution, said Marc Franco, head of the European Union delegation to Egypt at a press conference on Thursday. Asked if the EU will monitor Egypt's upcoming elections, Franco said the EU will monitor through NGOs in Egypt and the media, but further involvement would be up to the Egyptian government. He added that he hopes the elections will be free and transparent, from nominations to voting and vote counting. He said civil society and the media should be allowed to carry out their roles. Franco added that the additional assistance of 1.2 billion euros - allocated to Egypt and neighboring countries - is intended to support democratic transformation. This money, he went on, is earmarked for the support of democracy, civil society and judicial institutions. Asked if EU support would be affected if Islamists or the Muslim Brotherhood come to power, Franco said progress towards democracy and the respect of freedoms and human rights is the criteria for greater cooperation with the EU. Asked if the EU fears that Salafis or the Brotherhood could seize parliamentary majority, Franco called for the formation of strong political parties that can express the wishes of Egyptians in parliament. All parties should make their views clear to society, he added. Franco said talks are ongoing with Egypt to facilitate the granting ofSchengen visas to Egyptians, adding that the EU is looking at ways to encourage legal immigration to Europe but combat illegal immigration. Franco said Egypt owes European countries a total of 20 billioneuros, equivalent to two thirds of Egypt's total foreign debt. Debt should be discussed on a bilateral basis rather than with the EU as a bloc, he said. Economic stability and reforms will encourage investors to come to Egypt, he said, emphasizing the need for improving Egypt's investment environment in the transitional period. Franco added that revolution has opened the way to liberating and modernizing the Egyptian economy, but he stressed that there will be challenges on the the way. Finally, he said Egypt will make greater progress towards democracy after the parliamentary and presidential elections are held. Translated from the Arabic Edition
