Romania and the Situation in Egypt
The situation in Egypt is worsening.
Ştefan Stoica, 16.08.2013, 14:03
Egypt, the country that was in the frontline of the so-called “Arab Spring,” is currently experiencing the most violent domestic conflict since the ousting of dictator Hosni Mubarak. The death toll of this dramatic past week reaches hundreds of people, mostly civilians, dead in the clashes between the supporters of the dismissed Islamist president Mohammed Morsi, on the one hand, and its opponents and police, on the other hand. Many of Morsi’s supporters are members of the Muslim Brotherhood. They want the democratically elected president to return to office, and they seem determined to carry on their protests, no matter the consequences.
The response of the authorities was firm and prompt, and according to a growing number of Western voices, disproportionately harsh. The army, which seized control over the country, threatened to shoot anyone who attacked public institutions. Concerned with the situation in Egypt, the international community has repeatedly called for restraint and condemned the bloodshed. The UN Security Council urged the parties to refrain from actions that may escalate the conflict and deepen the crisis. In the USA, president Obama denounced the violence and called on the authorities to show respect for human rights. The White House cancelled the joint American-Egyptian military exercise scheduled for next month. The European Union and several Muslim countries have criticized the crackdown on pro-Morsi protesters.
In line with the position taken by the EU, Romania has expressed its concern with the developments in Egypt and deplored the loss of human lives and the material damage in this country. The Foreign Ministry supports the message sent by the EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, regarding the need for all parties to show restraint so as to put an end to the violent clashes and restore peace. Bucharest also reiterates the need for human and civil rights to be respected, and encourages the dialogue required for the transition to democracy to be resumed.
On the other hand, the Romanian Foreign Ministry warns against the dangers that Romanian citizens may be facing in Egypt and urges them to avoid the areas where government buildings are located and where protests are taking place. The Romanian citizens who are in Egypt are advised to notify the Romanian embassy of their presence in this country and to communicate their coordinates so that they may be contacted in case of emergency.
