13 August 2007…

Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Ambassador Fatma Al Zahraa Etman, summoned Dutch Chargé d'Affaires, Louis W.M. Piët, for the offensive statements made by Member of Parliament, Geert Wilders, about Islam.

Ambassador Etman expressed the Foreign Ministry's rejection of the form and content of these statements that defame Islam, and flagrantly violate the principles of human rights and international conventions that grant freedom of creed, and protect the minorities' right in practicing worship. She added that the statements of the Dutch MP negatively affect the political, economic and cultural relations between Netherlands and the Islamic world, such statements will foment hatred between peoples, and impede the efforts exerted for pushing forward the peaceful dialogue between the west and Islam and will turn it into conflict and clashes.

In this context, the Dutch Chargé d'Affaires showed his complete understanding of Egypt's rejecting stance towards the statements of the Dutch MP, outlining that they do not, in any way, express Netherlands’ stance. He also emphasized the immediate condemnation of Dutch official, Ella Vogelaar, of these statements, as well as the denunciation of Dutch Foreign Minister, Maxime Verhagen, who described these statements as "irresponsible" actions. In this context, Ambassador Etman voiced her appreciation of the balanced and objective stance of the Dutch Government, which will contribute to containing the issue. However, at the same time she stressed on the importance of exerting more effort by the Dutch Government to improve the awareness of the public opinion of the true image of Islam, affirming the full readiness of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry and competent institutions to fruitfully cooperate in this regard.