RIYADH, 16 April 2008 — European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighborhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Waldner, who finished a two-day visit to Riyadh yesterday, said that the EU would not develop new laws against blasphemy.
Ferrero-Waldner was speaking in reference to the recent release of “Fitna,” a short film by Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders, and offensive cartoons published in European newspapers in 2005 and 2006.
“There are two principles involved in this matter: freedom of press and freedom of religion. Every individual has a right to express what he thinks is correct. Similarly, the other individual, who is not in agreement, can rebut in the same way,” she said.
Ferrero-Waldner said that the Dutch government was quick to stress that the opinion made in the “stupid film” is not that of the government or its people. “It is an individual opinion. We practice freedom of religion. You have to understand that Muslims have freedom to practice their religion in our country,” she said.
Stressing the importance of GCC-EU cooperation, Ferrero-Waldner said that the GCC is the world’s largest energy producer, while the EU is the world’s largest energy consumer. “We’re facing a new challenge in developing our security and energy partnership,” she said.
The commissioner, who met GCC Secretary-General Abdul Rahman Al-Attiyah in Riyadh, said she had an interesting discussion with GCC officials on issues of common interest.
“We share common concerns in ensuring the stability, transparency and efficient functioning of the world energy market. We’re also interested in enhancing energy security for both suppliers and consumers,” she said.
The region will continue to play a predominant role in oil and gas because of growing demands in the EU, she noted, adding that the EU would offer its technical expertise for a truly regional integrated energy market.
“We are also keen on developing renewable solar energy, which could be much cheaper,” she said.
Referring to the political situation within the region, she pointed out that the EU is interested in restoring a national unity government in Lebanon and would like to go ahead trading and cooperating with Iran (now on hold), provided Iran stops its uranium enrichment program.
“Both the EU and the Kingdom share the vision that sustainable development and prosperity of future generations depend on long-term investments in research and education,” she said.
