News

Egypt 2011: EU progress reports highlights year of profound change and daunting challenges

28-05-2012

Egypt experienced profound change and daunting political and economic challenges in 2011, in a year that started with the 25 January democratic uprising toppling the authoritarian regime and culminating in parliamentary elections organised "in a generally free and transparent manner"; however, the transition period has seen thousands of arbitrary arrests and continued reports of torture and degrading treatment in detention, while ongoing uncertainty meant little progress was made towards reform outlined in the EU-Egypt Action Plan (AP). These are some of the conclusions of the report on progress made on implementation of the EU-Egypt ENP Action Plan between 1 January and 31 December 2011, released this month by the European Commission. The report includes recommendations on how Egypt can step up the implementation of the AP.
 
The report notes that after 25 January, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) took over transitional powers and was charged with "stewarding the country toward meeting the legitimate requests of the people for political freedom, respect for human rights and better socio-economic conditions". The electoral system was reformed and parliamentary elections organised between November 2011 and February 2012 in a generally free and transparent manner, which saw Islamic parties take a strong lead in parliament. The SCAF has announced that it will hand over power on July 1 2012 following the Presidential elections being held in May and June.
 
But the report noted that, "During the transition period the military’s respect for basic human rights and democratic standards has not been satisfactory. Police and military personnel who resorted to excessive use of force during the demonstrations, notably against women, have yet to be investigated. Thousands of activists were arbitrarily detained. Military courts were used to try activists and bloggers. Reports of the use of torture and degrading treatment in detention and prison have continued," it said, noting nevertheless that the SCAF had announced pardons for some 2,000 people sentenced by military tribunals. It also warned that the situation of foreign-funded civil society organisations (CSOs) had become precarious with the interim Egyptian authorities launching a public campaign and investigations against them.
 
On the positive side, the report noted that the state of emergency was partially lifted in January 2012.
 
While the Egyptian economy had been resilient to the worldwide economic and financial crisis, it was severely affected by the uprising, the subsequent social unrest as well as by the war in neighbouring Libya, with economic activity contracting significantly in the first quarter and subdued thereafter. Official unemployment, already high in previous years, increased to 12.4% by the end of 2011.
 
The ongoing political and economic uncertainty meant that progress on the structural reforms outlined in Egypt's Action Plan was limited. On the positive side, the work to overcome technical barriers to exports advanced when Egypt became an associate member in the European cooperation for accreditation, the process for creating a business was simplified and a competition authority was set up. The report acknowledged that the interim authorities had been unable to engage on achieving long-term objectives, something they prefered to leave to a democratically elected government when it takes office.
 
No progress was achieved on trade-related issues or on market and regulatory reform. The EU adopted on 14 December negotiating directives for a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). However, the interim Egyptian authorities are not ready to engage, given their limited mandate. Similarly, they have declined the offer made by the EU to start a dialogue on Mobility, Migration and Security, in order to conclude a Mobility Partnership.
 
The report comes up with a number of recommendations to sustain implementation of the ENP Action Plan in 2012, inviting Egypt to:
 
  • Ensure that all powers are handed over to a civilian administration and that the state of emergency is fully lifted before the presidential elections.
  • Draft and adopt, following an inclusive drafting process, a democratic constitution that enshrines respect for human rights.
  • Discontinue the use of military courts to judge civilians.
  • Create the conditions conducive to an active and independent NGO community 
and adopt NGO legislation in full compliance with international standards.
  • Preserve the freedom of religion and protect minorities.
  • Design and implement an Economic Reform Programme that ensures macro- economic stability and strengthens public finance management, in order, inter alia, to open the door to international financial assistance, including EU Macro- Financial Assistance.
  • Sign and ratify the regional Convention on Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Rules of Origin.
 
The Egypt Progress Report is part of a set of documents released by the EU in the framework of its annual assessment of the European Neighbourhood Policy.
 
The package also incudes reports on progress in relations between the EU and its other Neighbours in the South, and a report on the “Partnership for Democracy and Shared Prosperity”, concerning Southern Mediterranean, including a roadmap. (EU Neighbourhood Info) 
 
Read more
 
Egypt 2011 ENP Progress Report and memo
 
Partnership for Democracy and Shared Prosperity: Report on activities in 2011 and Roadmap for future action 
 
EU Neighbourhood Info Centre – Ashton: Presidential elections in Egypt mark major step in democratic transition (25-05-12)
 
EU Neighbourhood Info Centre – EU assesses reforms in the Neighbourhood (15 May)
 
EU Info Centre country page Egypt
 
 

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