You lived for some time in Cairo and worked for several years in the Middle East; you know the region very well. And Italy is one of the countries that has criticised the coup d’état in Egypt most strongly. What do you think of the current situation and the outlook for the future?
“I never thought that after the fall of Mubarak Egypt’s path to democracy would have been straight or could be taken for granted, but the present situation is certainly a dramatic regression. The international community’s efforts are now focused on persuading all sides to establish a truce, and to end all violence and the state of emergency. What we all want is for Egypt to resume the democratic transition process, in the knowledge that it will not be easy to create the conditions for it”.
What would the best solution be? Are there contacts between Italy/the EU and the various Egyptian groups to find a political solution?
“The immediate goal is to cease the violence and resume the dialogue. Europe is asking for an inclusive process, a dialogue involving the various actors representing Egyptian society as a complex whole. We’re working to help lower the tension and bring the most moderate elements of the various political forces to the fore. We are asking, first and foremost, for an end to the repression and the arrests, and for the freedom of the Muslim Brotherhood leaders not involved in the violence to be restored.
At the same time, we are asking the Brotherhood to desist from inciting unrest and to prevent violence and sectarianism. Europe remains willing to continue mediating to provide a glimmer of hope for political dialogue”.
You have recently met your Qatari and Turkish counterparts. What was the importance of these meetings?
“They were two very important meetings that gave us an opportunity to exchange views on the main regional dossiers, starting with the Egyptian crisis. Both Turkey and Qatar can play an important role in exerting pressure on the parties involved to help find a negotiated, inclusive way out of the crisis. Turkey is a key actor in the regional geopolitical equilibria. Europe must work with Ankara too”.
