Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb’s statement on the situation in Egypt

Press release 44/2010
11 February 2011

“I am very concerned as to whether a peaceful and controlled transition towards democracy will take place in Egypt. Unfortunately, things may work out otherwise.

Egypt’s situation cannot be solved from outside, nor should it be. The future of Egypt rests in the hands of the Egyptians themselves. The pivotal issue is their assessment of the speech given yesterday by President Mubarak (and Vice President Suleiman).

The demonstrators have called for democratic reforms, repeal of the emergency law and respect for human rights. Finland and the other EU countries, the UN Secretary General and many others have given their support to the Egyptians’ legitimate demands.

Reforms should be initiated quickly and the reform process should proceed determinedly. The reform process must be credible in the eyes of the people themselves.

The reports of additional fatalities are highly distressing. I emphatically condemn all use of violence. The Egyptian leadership has promised to identify those responsible and bring them to account for their actions. I hope that this takes place quickly.
The EU is currently preparing a packet of measures for supporting Egypt’s political and economic reforms when the time is ripe.”

Additional information: Päivi Pohjanheimo, Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, mobile tel. +358 40 511 3786, Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, Press Attaché to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, mobile tel. +358 40 732 8340