Remarks at the EU reception on the occasion of the EU-Arab League Dialogue meetings
Cairo, 30 November 2016
Distinguished Ambassadors from Arab League and European Union Member States
Distinguished Members of the Diplomatic Corps and the Egyptian Administration
Distinguished representatives of Civil Society
Ladies and Gentlemen
Friends of EU-Arab League cooperation
On behalf of the European Union and in my capacity as Charge d'Affaires of the EU Delegation, I am pleased to welcome you to our reception this evening.
It is held in honour of the EU Arab League dialogue meetings which were attended by top officials today in Cairo.
So, let me warmly welcome the Ambassadors from both the EU and the Arab League who are engaged in these meetings.
At the same time I warmly welcome all who work to ensure that the EU and the Arab world cooperate closely in the interest of both sides.
In addition to experts, these include the colleagues from the Arab League secretariat and from the EU institutions.
In their annual meeting, the Political and Security Committee of the Council of the European Union on the one hand and the Permanent representatives of the League of Arab States on the other met today to discuss some of the burning issues currently facing the world. These include the Middle East Peace Process, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Iraq, and more broadly, counter-terrorism, migration and refugees. What a list!
In parallel meetings, experts from both sides looked at some of the issues in more detail, bringing their operational perspective to bear in the strategic dialogue which was launched last year.
And tomorrow senior officials from the EU and the Arab League will prepare for the EU-Arab League Ministerial meeting expected to take place on 20 December, also in Cairo.
The ambitious schedule of meetings reflects the reality that in an increasingly connected world both sides of the Mediterranean increasingly depend on each other.
Ultimately our security and prosperity are one.
So we have a joint interest in addressing the shared challenges of the stabilization and development of the region, and of seizing opportunities for shared prosperity.
What is at stake in the relationship between the EU and the Arab world reflects a broader reality. Regions represent critical spaces of governance in today's world. Some issues are best addressed at exactly that level. This is why the EU seeks to promote and support cooperation between regional orders worldwide. As such, the EU is stepping up its engagement with the countries to its South, including that through the League of Arab States.
With its 22 Members States the Arab League remains an indispensable partner for the EU's engagement with the Arab world. Likewise, the EU is a privileged partner of the Arab League and is its main non-Arab interlocutor.
As the linchpins of the EU and Arab League structures, in their respective domains of competence, the Political and Security Committee and the permanent representatives of the Arab League are natural partners of dialogue.
As a standing Committee at the Ambassadorial level, the Political and Security Committee helps direct the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy.
It is therefore well placed to help realize a priority of EU External action, namely investing in the resilience of states and societies to the East stretching into Central Asia and South down to Central Africa.
The EU Global Strategy maintains that a resilient state is a secure state, and security is key for prosperity and democracy. But the reverse holds true as well, that is to say prosperity and democracy are key for security.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Dear friends,
EU-Arab League cooperation has come a long way since it was decided to convene regular meetings at the ministerial level in 2009.
Much has been achieved through the implementation of a joint work programme in the fields of early warning and crisis management, human rights, the training of diplomats and media, electoral observation, humanitarian aid and strengthening the League's institutional capacities.
And even more remains to be done if we want to live up to the challenges of our time.
We have gathered here this evening to celebrate the opportunities represented by the meeting of top officials from the EU and the Arab League.
In our respective roles, we all have a responsibility to ensure that collectively we make the best of the EU-Arab League partnership, with the view to achieving a better future for all.
Let us work together and redouble our efforts so that we may succeed.
Thank you very much for your attention.
Enjoy the evening.
Reinhold Brender
Charge' d' Affairs a.i.
The European Union Delegation to Egypt