EU considers embargo on arms supplies to Egypt

The European Union (EU) plans to impose an embargo on the supply of weapons, military equipment and dual-use vehicles to Egypt.

According to a senior EU diplomatic source on August 19, with this measure, the EU wants to send a strong signal to the Egyptian government that the violence must end immediately.

A final decision on the embargo will be made by EU foreign ministers at an emergency meeting this week.

Protesters clash with police in Cairo, August 14. (Source: AFP/VNA)

However, specific options for sanctions as well as measures to put pressure on the situation in Egypt were discussed at the technical meeting of the EU Political and Security Committee at the level of permanent representatives of 28 member states, which took place on August 19 in Brussels, Belgium.

Leading EU countries, including Germany, France, Britain and Italy, have announced a halt to arms supplies to Egypt, but there has yet to be a consensus decision within the organization.

At the same time, the EU also called on the US, the largest arms exporter to Egypt, to stop supplying activities, but Washington refused.

According to the above diplomatic source, the EU has no plans to temporarily stop economic development aid programs, support for democratic institutions and civil society for Egypt.

Egypt received 449 million euros for these programs from 2011 to the end of 2013. However, the EU could use the continued disbursement of the pledged aid package worth about 5 billion euros as a condition for the Egyptian government to stop armed activities, set an election date, and investigate the deaths of civilians in clashes between protesters and police.

Over the past week, all leaders of EU institutions, including European Commission (EC) President Jose Manuel Barroso, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, European Parliament (EP) President Martin Schulz and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, have made statements affirming that the EU intends to "review" its relations with Egypt following the outbreak of riots in this country.

Tensions have been rising sharply in Egypt since security forces dispersed two sit-in protest camps of President Mohamed Morsi's supporters on August 14, leaving about 700 people dead and more than 4,000 injured./.

According to (TTXVN) - DT