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Reforms in MENA Countries
Should Come from within

ABU DHABI - Reforms and changes in countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are very crucial, but they should come from within, Amr Moussa, Secretary-General of the Arab League, said.

Attending the last day of the ‘Forum for the Future’, Moussa said that stability is key to development and this could not come without respecting the sovereignty of the countries in the region.

Moussa pointed out that the region suffers from instability in places like Iraq, Lebanon and the occupied land in Palestine. “There can be no development and reforms without peace and stability,” said Moussa, while calling upon the Arab countries to implement the reforms through the Arab League.

“Priority should be given to the Arab League to enhance the efforts of the civil society and coordinate with the governments as well,” said Moussa.

About the setback to reforms in the Arab World, Moussa commented, “The situation now is better than the last decade.” He, however, conceded that the pace of reforms has been slow.

Addressing the occasion, Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr Abu Baker Al Qurabi agreed that reforms and changes in societies in the MENA region is very important, but the same should come from within.

ahmed@khaleejtimes.com