Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued this statement following the Administration’s announcement regarding Egypt:
“Our relationship with Egypt is bound by decades of shared concerns to ensure regional stability, maintain the Camp David peace accords, and cooperate on counterterrorism and border security efforts. Assistance to Egypt that supports these common goals should continue,” said Menendez. “But ongoing violence in Egypt is troubling, shows no signs of abating, and given these worrisome developments, a pause in assistance is appropriate until the Egyptian government demonstrates a willingness and capability to follow the roadmap toward a sustainable, inclusive and non-violent transition to democracy. The interim government and Egyptian Armed Forces bear the burden of responsibility for ensuring security and safety for all Egyptians. I also call on leaders from the Muslim Brotherhood and Freedom and Justice Party to denounce violence, support peaceful protests, and engage constructively in a national reconciliation process so that Egypt may move forward on its democratic path. These are the steps needed to allow for the possibility of a full resumption of assistance to Egypt.”
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