Egypt Received Largest Aid Package for Civil Society

Egypt has received the European Union's largest-ever aid package, worth some 20 million euros, to encourage the transition to civilian rule and defend human rights, the EU's foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said on Tuesday. Speaking in Brussels at a presentation on the body's European Neighbourhood Policy, Ashton mentioned "the work that we've done in Egypt" involving 20 million euros "[given] to civil society".

The aid package was given to encourage freedom of expression and religion as well as support womens' rights, Ashton said. EU electoral experts will arrive in Egypt in the next few days to make preparations for observing the country's presidential elections, slated to take place on 23-24 May.

Ashton explained that EU should focus its support on countries and governments most committed to political and economic reform under the principle of "more for more". Foreign funding for self-declared human rights and pro-democracy groups has been a controversial issue in the aftermath of Egypt's uprising.

Egyptian authorities are still conducting investigations into local and foreign employees who worked for Cairo-based NGOs in receipt of overseas funding. In late December, the Cairo offices of at least five non-governmental organisations ??(NGOs) were raided by officials from ?Egypt’s public prosecution office backed by police and military personnel.