Ministerial meeting between the EU and the Arab League (Q&A - Excerpt from the daily press briefing - Novembre 9, 2012)

A - This second ministerial meeting falls within the framework of the cooperation between the Arab League and the EU initiated in 2008. It follows on from the first ministerial meeting that took place in Malta from February 12 to 13, 2008. In the context of the changes in the Arab world, the Arab League is playing an increasingly important role in promoting peace and security in the region and is doing so in close coordination with the UN. In addition to addressing regional issues, this meeting will also aim to strengthen, through concrete projects, cooperation between the EU and the Arab League in several priority areas such as crisis management, electoral observation and the training of diplomats.

The high level of participation should be noted since almost all of the participating countries will be represented at a ministerial level. This mobilization reflects the strong commitment on the part of the Arab League and the EU to continue their political dialogue, which is more necessary than ever.

Mr. Laurent Fabius’s participation underscores the steps taken by France in this direction. France will reaffirm its strong commitment to supporting the Arab countries undergoing a democratic transition in order to help give concrete form to the expectations of these people, and our firm stance with respect to the violence committed by the Damascus regime.

A - I don’t have any further details but in general, these types of meetings, which can be categorized as multilateral meetings, often provide an opportunity to hold formal and informal meetings with the close partners of other countries, as is the case with our Egyptian partners.