CAIRO: The European Union is concerned with the recent Salafi demonstrations in Egypt, but is not worried about the Salifis coming to power, according to Bernardino Leon, the EU special representative for the southern Mediterranean. During a press conference held by the EU delegation in Egypt today, Leon said there must be differentiation between different messages coming from the group lumped together as “Islamists.” It is Leon's first trip to Egypt. “I've had the opportunity to meet Dr. Mohamed Morsi, the head of the Freedom and Justice Party, and I know that their intention is to play a constructive role into real democracy in new Egypt,” Leon said. He added that the EU respects and trusts the independence of the Egyptian judiciary system, commenting on the former president Hosni Mubarak. He said the EU is witnessing this “historic trial” and asserted that judges must be left to do their job, and once they issue a sentence “we have to respect it.” Regarding international monitoring of the Egyptian elections, Leon said the Egyptian refusal for such monitoring must be respected. He said the EU trusts Egypt's ability to run the elections efficiently. Responding to a question about how the EU deals with different views of civil society organizations and the Egyptian government regarding international monitoring of upcoming election, Leon said elections are an internal issue and the EU does not want to interfere. “We try to make sure all voices are heard in new Egypt,” he said. Leon received questions regarding the recent accusations directed at organizations receiving funds from abroad. In response, he said that the EU funds any Egyptian organization that is mentioned on the EU's website. He said true friendship between countries has to be based on total transparency and accountability. Leon said Egyptians have the right to ask for explanations regarding the ban of exporting Egyptian seeds to European markets. “I understand it's damaging, but out of the dialogue between the EU and Egypt we expect the process of finding a solution to be accelerated,” he said. He added that the decision of the European Food Safety Authority - as an independent entity- to ban some of the Egyptian seeds has to be respected.
