A debate between Europe and Egypt over human rights prevailed over the last minutes of a joint news conference at the end of the first Arab-European summit in Sharm el-Sheikh Monday.
Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi responded directly to comments by European Union representatives on “some problems” related to human rights in Egypt.
“You are speaking about the death sentence, and we respect this… but I hope you don't impose [your vision] on us,” he said. “You will not teach us our humanity, our values and morals.”
Sisi was speaking at a joint news conference with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Council, Donald Tusk and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry had earlier rejected criticism by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights against trials that led to the execution of nine convicted persons in the case of the assassination of former Attorney General Hisham Barakat.
“The priority in Europe is to achieve the well-being of its people. The priority in our country is to prevent it from collapsing, as has happened in neighboring countries,” Sisi underlined.
On a different note, the president said the meeting between the leaders from both sides “is an important opportunity to enhance cooperation at the bilateral level.”
He also expressed his hope for more meetings between Europe and Arab countries in the coming stage.
The EU-League of Arab States (LAS) Summit, which kicked off on Sunday in Sharm el-Sheikh, was held under the title of “Investing in Stability.”
A joint statement said “both sides agreed to boost cooperation towards security, conflict resolution and socio-economic development throughout the region.”
“Leaders committed to working more closely together to address the root causes of terrorism and to continue joint efforts to combat foreign terrorist fighters,” it added.
