Posted on 07/10/2012 2:23:42 AM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle held out the prospect of fresh investment and trade Monday if Egypt continues on the road of democratic progress, ahead of talks with new President Mohamed Morsi.
Westerwelle's two-day visit, billed as the first by a Western foreign minister since last month's watershed presidential election, is a "signal" of commitment by Europe's top economy to Egypt's political "transformation".
"We want to support Egypt and we all know that there are very many companies in Germany who are very much interested in investments in Egypt and they need sustainable development, a stable democracy, and this is my main message," he told reporters after talks with his counterpart Mohammed Kamel Amr.
Westerwelle, who arrived in Cairo amid an escalating power struggle between Morsi and the long-dominant military, called Egypt "the key country for the success of the Arab Spring".
"The people in Egypt... asked for democratic participation but they also asked for economic and social participation and Germany is very well experienced in economic development," he said.
Westerwelle is to meet Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected civilian president, and Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi on Tuesday.
Amr said Berlin's support was key.
"It is very clear that Germany is standing with Egypt in this remarkable transformation process. We are always looking for cooperation and help from such good friends," he said.
Germany has been one of the biggest financial backers of Egypt's transition since the ouster of veteran president Hosni Mubarak last year but investment and tourism have lagged as a result of the political turmoil in the country.
(Excerpt) Read more at expatica.com ...
German foreign minister to meet Egypt's Morsi - July 09, 2012 - "The trip is part of the German government's continuous efforts to support Egyptians in their democratic transformation," foreign ministry spokesman Dirk Augustin said at a briefing."Following the presidential election, Minister Westerwelle would like to have close contact with the political leaders and encourage further progress in the democratisation of the country."
Germany, one of the biggest financial backers of Egypt's transition since the ouster of veteran president Hosni Mubarak last year, wants to see the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) cede power to freely elected forces in the country, diplomats said.
This would include the reinstatement of the parliament, the naming of a democratically legitimate civilian government and a transparent constitutional process, aides to Westerwelle said.
Morsi, a leading member of the Muslim Brotherhood, made waves Sunday by ordering the return of the dissolved parliament in an open challenge to the military that had enforced a court decision last month to disband the Islamist-led legislature.
The move was expected to heighten tensions with the SCAF, which ruled the country after Mubarak was toppled in a popular uprising and until Morsi was sworn in last month.
Wow. Germany is run by Muslims now?
Seems that only leaves Canada and Australia that haven’t been taken over.
Good thing Israel doesn’t need us, or they’d be screwed.
Guess what Germany, they’ll kill you just as quick as the rest of us. Why do idiots seem to think that by being NICE to them, that they will avoid the jihad? If anything, they just get mocked by the nutters chasing Allah.
CapnJack - That’s the Ark of the Covenant, right?
Should start a pool of how many busloads of German tourists need to be gunned down before this changes.
Germany = suckers
The Germans really should concentrate on the coming transformation of Europe.
Yup, and Indy had to get to it first.
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