Press Release: Foreign Affairs Council, Brussels, 21 August 2013

The Council met urgently at the invitation of the High Representative to discuss the recent events in Egypt and their implications for EU policy.

The Council expressed great concern about current events in Egypt and condemned all acts of violence in the clearest possible terms. Ministers urged all political parties to engage in a real and inclusive dialogue to restart a democratic process.

Mindful of the needs of the Egyptian people, the Council discussed the issue of assistance to Egypt and tasked the EU High Representative to review the issue of EU assistance to Egypt. In order to avoid a negative impact on the most vulnerable groups of Egyptian society, assistance in the socioeconomic sector and support for civil society will continue. The EU will continue to monitor the situation and readjust its cooperation accordingly.

Member States agreed to suspend export licences to Egypt for any equipment which might be used for internal repression and to reassess export licences for equipment covered by Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, and to review their security assistance with Egypt.

ESO: Background information: EU ministers to hold emergency meeting on Egypt http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-ministers-to-hold-emergency-meeting-on-egypt/

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 21.08.13: Background Note - Foreign Affairs Council, 21 August 2013, Brussels http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/138595.pdf

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on Egypt, Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Brussels, 21 August 2013 http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-egypt-foreign-affairs-council-meeting-brussels-21-august-2013/

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