'Summit of conservatives' voices support for democracy in Arab countries

HELSINKI (Itar-Tass) - Participants Helsinki's 'summit of
conservatives', which brought together the heads of state and government
of the nine European countries affiliated with the European People's Party
(EPP) and the EU leadership, have expressed their support for democratic
movements in Arab countries.
"We must support the democratic movements in North Africa and the
Maghreb countries," EPP President Wilfried Martens said at the final press
conference. He recalled that this topic would be on the agenda at an early
EU summit, which will discuss the situation in the Arab countries.
"We do not support the stability of dictators," said Martens. "We are
on the side of the people."
He described as historic the decision to convene an early EU summit to
discuss the situation in North Africa.
The host of the meeting, Finance Minister of Finland Jyrki Katainen,
added that Libya was not the only challenge facing Europe and stressed the
idea that this issue needs to be addressed jointly with the UN.