Egypt: Time for change now

As protests go on in Egypt, Mubarak disappointed hopes he would resign before September elections.

EU Foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton issued a statement right after Mubarak’s televised speech yesterday (10 February) demanding that Egyptian people’s expectations “must be met.”

President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek made the following statement: "Tonight (11 January), I am with the Egyptian people in the streets, on Tahrir Square and beyond. The expectations of the citizens are legitimate and the transformation cannot wait."

In the meantime, Mirjam van Reisen, Professor of International Social Responsibility at Tilburg University and member of the Coordinating Committee of Social Watch, warns that Israel is key in the situation now.

According to Van Reisen, there needs to be a complete overhaul of EU Policy regarding Israel:  “Unless Israel operates within the boundaries of international law and democratic governance, all EU aid to the Israeli government should be stopped immediately and without reservation.”

Click here to download Mirjam van Reisen’s article published by La Primera (español)

Click here to read full statement of Jerzy Buzek, the President of the European Parliament

Click here to read Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on Egypt following the speech of President Mubarak

Click here to read full text of Hosni Mubarak’s speech

Click here to read interview with MEP Mário David (EPP) who heads Parliament's delegation for relations with Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan