The ALDE Group strengthens cooperation with Arab Leaders for Freedom and Democracy - Main contents
The ALDE Group in the European Parliament today held exchange of views with Arab Leaders for Freedom and Democracy, a network which gathers leaders such as Mahmoud Jibril, former Prime Minister of Libya, Ahmad Al-Hariri, leader of the Future Movement of Lebanon, Yassine Brahim, Minister the Tunisian government, Awn Al-Khasawneh, former Prime Minister of Jordan or Fawaz Tello, Syrian opposition activist.
Following the closed session held with ALDE Members of the EP Foreign Affairs Committee, the ALDE Group leader, Guy Verhofstadt said:
"The Arab Leaders for Freedom and Democracy, a network which we launched back in 2012, has been working to engage and promote democracy in the countries involved in the Arab Spring."
"We have to advance our co-operation with key liberal leaders in this region, to strengthen democratic governance, civil liberties and presere what has been achieved after the fall of the dictatorial regimes in the North of Africa and the Middle East. At the same time ,we have to engage to help these countries fight extremism and terrorism. The whole region is in a very fragile state. We could have avoided much of what is happening in Syria and Libya - but we did not engage. It is time to change this and come up with a broad strategy including political, security and economic cooperation."
"I am happy that the Arab Leaders Network will be present with an office on a permanent basis in Brussels. Information exchange is crucial - it is the first pre-condition for developing an effective strategy towards the region."
MEP, Hans van Baalen, ALDE Coordinator in the Foreign Affairs Committee added:
"Many of these countries are facing very difficult challenges, caused by conflicts in the region and they need assistance to deal with humanitarian and social issues. If we want to find a solution to the refugee crisis and migration in the Mediterranean, then we need to address it in the countries of origin. Peace and stability in the Arab region is directly in the interest of the EU."
The new Brussels office of the Arab Leaders for Freedom and Democracy will be opened, this evening, followed by a public debate with the Arab Leaders in BOZAR. ALDE President Guy Verhofstadt and ALDE coordinator in AFET Hans van Baalen will join the public debate.