By: Ibrahim Al-Masri

Ahmed Fahmi, President of the Shura Council, stated that the civil society law under discussion will not threaten organisations in Egypt and that foreign fears regarding the law are unfounded.

He added that the new law would be balanced and provide increased transparency for organisations, and the discussion process would include voices from a broad range of Egyptians.

These statements came during a meeting held between Fahmi and a delegation from the German Parliament’s Committee for Cultural and Foreign Education Affairs led by Harold Liebreischt.

Responding to questions regarding the role of women in political life, Fahmi stated that the election law for the House of Representatives currently under review in Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court would provide women with the opportunity to take part in elections on an equal footing with men. He said that the law would call on political parties to include women on their party lists in future elections.

Fahmi went on to reiterate Egypt’s opposition to any foreign intervention in Syria that would divide up the country. He added that any solution to the Syrian crisis would have to be political and could not include President Bashar al-Assad.

During the meeting he also expressed his hope that a larger role could hopefully emerge for the European Union in helping to end the suffering of the Palestinian people.

Representatives from the German delegation described the country’s relationship with Egypt as secure and stable. They added that Germany hoped to strengthen its relationship with Egypt and increase investment in the country. Officials stated that they were prepared to use their skills and expertise to help Egypt’s transition to democracy and would provide aid to the country in a number of fields.

The meeting was also attended by Rada Fahmi, President of the Shura Council’s Arab, Foreign and National Security Committee, in addition to Muhammad Abd Al-Latif, President of the Al-Wasat parliamentary bloc.