Bringing Europe in

Cairo is looking for a larger European role in efforts being made to stabilise the region, reports Dina Ezzat

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In Alexandria, Mubarak and Solana talk regional stability -- or the lack thereof

During talks with Javier Solana, the European Union High Commissioner for Foreign Policy and Security Affairs, President Hosni Mubarak said Europe should throw its weight behind efforts being made to encourage a more stable Middle East.

Syria figured highly in this respect. By encouraging the Europeans to provide a counterbalance to heavy US pressure on Damascus vis-à-vis its influence in Lebanon and sympathy for militant resistance of both the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and the US presence in Iraq, Egypt envisions a scenario whereby Syria responds favourably to these demands.

Egypt, diplomatic sources said, is not trying to help Damascus get away with anything. Instead, Cairo just wants Bashar Al-Assad to be given a fair chance to demonstrate his intentions towards accommodating the international community's demands. "We are not in any way suggesting that Syria doesn't need to work on restraining whatever disturbances have been attributed to its influence in Lebanon or elsewhere. By putting Syria's back to the wall, however, the international community can only expect more angry reactions from Syria," one Egyptian diplomat said.

Following his talks with Solana on Sunday, Mubarak spoke to Al-Assad by phone to discuss the situation further. "Syria is a serious issue for Egypt," the diplomat said. "We cannot afford to see Syria come under so much pressure that it would affect the regime's ability to exercise its role. The last thing Egypt needs right now is Syria on the verge of chaos." He said the Europeans expect Syria to convince Hizbullah to pursue a political rather than military presence on the Lebanese political scene. President Mubarak, sources say, stressed that the Hizbullah issue should be dealt with in a manner that is sensitive to the Lebanese people's needs.

Mubarak also told Solana that Europe needed to provide more economic and political support to both the Palestinians and the Iraqis.

While in Egypt, Solana also held talks with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa. Here again, there was much talk of how positive a firmer European role could be in catalysing a more stable and secure Middle East. Moussa's comments also centered on how appropriate such moves would be in light of this November's 10th anniversary of the Barcelona Process.

With regard to the Palestinian situation, Moussa said Europe's input should be loud and clear, especially with the approach of Israel's disengagement from Gaza. Palestinian sources said Europe should be particularly involved in securing easy access for Palestinians between Gaza, the West Bank, and Egypt.

For his part, Solana promised continued European commitment on issues of regional security, peace and stability. He said the European Union would also consider Egypt's proposal regarding hosting an international conference on combating terrorism.

Solana was in Cairo as part of a Middle East tour that also includes stops in the Palestinian territories and Israel. Engaging a positive European contribution is rapidly becoming a top priority for many Arab capitals -- especially in light of what Arab diplomats are calling the US's antagonistic approach to handling regional crises.

It is certainly wise for Egypt and other Arab countries to engage the Europeans, said Mohamed El-Sayed Said, the Deputy Chairman of Al-Ahram's Centre for Political and Strategic Studies. Said said the Europeans were also likely to respond positively to such requests. According to Said, the Europeans have every reason to provide all possible help to ease social, political and economic tensions in the region. "They are subject to direct impact by what happens in this part of the world. Among other things, they worry about terror attacks and migration."

Europeans are especially well equipped to cooperate, Said said, because of the different way Europe deals with Middle East regimes. "They are not antagonistic like the Americans, and they have a soft approach towards issues of democratisation and human rights. This approach is welcomed by governments that are concerned about aggressive US demands on these fronts," said Said.

The Palestinian issue presents a positive case for Arab-European cooperation, Said suggests. "Unlike the Americans, the Europeans appreciate the sensitivity of these issues for the Arab world's [governments and public opinion alike]. They understand that they cannot just pressure the Palestinians to succumb to Israel's will."