Cameron: EU must back Middle East revolts

Europe should welcome revolts sweeping the Middle East and North Africa, David Cameron said today.

The British prime minister and his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk discussed the uprisings which have swept through countries including Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, during 45 minutes of bilateral talks in Downing Street.

They agreed the EU should support the popular revolts which have overthrown governments over the past four months, in what has been dubbed the Arab Spring.

Speaking in No 10’s White Room, Mr Cameron said: “We had very good discussions about what is happening in Libya and North Africa and the Arab world, where we agreed Europe should make a strong and welcoming response to the Arab Spring.”

But he said European nations should not forget to promote democracy and freedom in countries to its east.

Mr Cameron told reporters the two leaders also discussed Poland’s role in Nato, hailing the countries’ “strong, shared efforts” in Afghanistan.

He added: “Both Poland and Britain are making a huge contribution and we agreed to work together for a successful outcome.”

Mr Tusk, speaking through an interpreter, linked the uprisings in Arab countries with breaking down European trade barriers.

He said: “We can see a very similar perspective when we talk about the need for a true single market in the European Union and ... our aspirations for the Arab nations during the Arab Spring because those two issues are combined under the headline of ’freedom’.”

Poland assumes the rolling six-month presidency of the EU on July 1 and Mr Tusk said the troubled Arab region would be a priority.

He added: “It is very important for us to get engaged in reforming relations with the EU’s southern neighbours, namely North Africa.”

The Polish premier also called for solidarity over Poland’s membership of Nato and for military action in Afghanistan.