Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the political stability of Egypt.

We believe that a genuinely open political process, in which all political groups are able to participate, will lead to long-term stability in Egypt. We are concerned at restrictions on political freedoms, including freedom of expression and association, and the trials of journalists. We are also concerned at reports of the absence of a fair hearing in some recent trials. The UK encourages the Egyptian Government to implement the rights enshrined in Egypt’s constitution.

Prosperity will also be important for Egypt’s long-term stability. We welcome Egyptian Government starting to implement economic reforms. The UK supports the Egyptian people in their aspirations for greater economic opportunities, political participation, freedom and rights.