The summit between the European Union and the Arab League in Egypt ended with a final statement of 17 points in which speaks of "a new era of cooperation". An important announcement which, however, did not warm the hearts of those present. These international meetings increasingly take on the characteristics of large stages where little is decided, at least from a multilateral point of view, but we try to take on leadership positions.
And the Egyptian president (as well as the owner of the house) Abdel Fattah al Sisi, he made it clear right away with a declaration on human rights that leaves little room for the imagination. Who thought cooperation meant compliance with Western standards, he was wrong. And the frost has fallen between the European Union and Egypt. Although the hope is to consider Cairo as the true country capable of curb the migration crisis in Nord Africa.

Al-Sisi's words resonated for Sharm el Sheikh like a real cold shower for those who thought that Egypt had decided to become part of the Western system. The Egyptian president was very clear. And his words addressed to the European Union, present with all its leaders and with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk, they resonate as a warning to anyone trying to change Egypt's mind.
During the final press conference of the summit, Al-Sisi spoke clearly: Egypt "does not accept lessons" on human rights from Europe. And responding to the criticisms leveled by some Western states on the value of human rights and on the actions implemented by the government in Cairo, the head of state gave a answer more than freezing: “You have nothing to teach us about humanity”. The Europeans, the president added, “They have their own values ​​and ethics: we respect it, you should do the same". Because according to Al-Sisi, “Human rights in Europe are a luxury, but in our region the imperative is to preserve our countries from collapse”.
And on the death penalty – only in February, in Egypt, there have been 15 executions – Al-Sisi was clear: "The death penalty which is decided by criminal courts is a tool to protect the rights of victims of terrorist attacks and is part of the culture and values ​​of the region". A statement that made it extremely clear what direction the Egyptian government is taking on this point.

The idea that emerges from this summit is that everyone remained more or less anchored to their certainties. There is a compromise on several points. But the impression that the Egyptian president's words also gave is that in the face of internal and international problems, the issue of human rights is a topic that takes its time. Those are strong statements from the leader of Egypt, but which perhaps perfectly illustrate the great change taking place in international politics: the era of globalisation of rights and international law has now given way to a different politics, made of harshness and extreme realism.
And the difference between Europe and the countries of the Arab League is that, while Al-Sisi thundered about rights, Jean-Claude Juncker, on the other side of the fence, he made jokes about journalists applauding the Egyptian president. A difference in form which is also indicative of a great difference in substance. Egypt has shown that it does not compromise even on human rights. While the European Union, more than interlocutor, she appeared as a guest of the show put on by the Arab League and its president.
For Italy, the summit served above all to strengthen relations with Egypt but also to reiterate firmness in the face of the investigation into the death of Giulio Regeni. In the bilateral with the Egyptian head of state, Giuseppe Conte asked for maximum commitment in the search for the truth: “I trust that constant dialogue can lead to judicial truth”. And Al-Sisi has at least confirmed the commitment of the Cairo government. A commitment joined by those on other fronts: gas, trade and security in Libya.

In particular, as reported The Press, Conte was satisfied “with the inclusion, in the final statement, of the invitation to the Libyans - consistent with the Italian line - 'to commit themselves to finalizing the objective, supported by the UN, towards a democratic transition and to avoid any action that could lead to an escalation of tensions, to further security risks and a weakening of the stabilization process'”.
source – http://www.occhidellaguerra.it/egitto-al-sisi-europa-pena-morte/