Egypt, Tunisia - 'EU should support truly democratic opposition forces', AD

Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party stated that unfortunately in the past the EU has had a great responsibility in propping up the Ben Ali, Mubarak and other dictatorships.

Prof. Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika Spokesperson on EU and International Affairs, stated: "The EU has had funding agreements with these dictatorial countries that were really benefitting only the oligarchy surrounding Ben Ali and his wife, President Mubarak and other dictators, rather than the common people.  We Greens, abroad and in Malta, have consistently denounced this in the past, unlike the Maltese government and the Labour Party opposition, that have always paid lip service to these dictators".

Cassola said the  wrong policies of the EU with dictatorial regimes in the Maghreb area now risk bringing about dramatic and bloody consequences not only in Tunisia and Egypt, but also in other countries of the region.

"AD, together with the European Greens believes that what the EU must insist on now is the diversion of funds away from the old cliques surrounding these dictatorships towards the truly democratic opposition forces. These countries need truly democratic elections as soon as possible. The EU should insist that the interim governments that prepare these elections should be made up of members of all opposition parties, as is the clear will of the Tunisian and Egyptian people."

Michael Briguglio, Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson, added: "Any dilly-dallying on this issue risks creating a political vacuum in these countries and the risk  of the army taking over becomes greater, with all the serious consequences that this will bring for true democracy in the region and security in the whole Mediterranean. As Greens, we join the diverse voices for democracy, human and civil rights in a global cosmopolitan vision of freedom, justice and pluralism".