Brussels, 22/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - European leaders have reaffirmed their support for democratic transition in Egypt since clashes in that country over the weekend, centred on Tahrir Square, which left some 20 people dead and hundreds injured. On Tuesday 22 November, the spokesperson for EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton recalled Ashton's statement of 20 November which read: “As Egypt prepares to go to the polls, in its first democratic and transparent elections, I remain confident that the Egyptian people and the authorities will find the way to move peacefully forward and succeed in overcoming the challenges”. France's Ministry for Foreign Affairs pointed out on Monday 21 November that it is of primary importance to hold transparent elections at the dates set in order to achieve smooth transition to democracy. “We consider that such elections must allow the Egyptian people to freely and democratically express their views on their future and on how they wish to build a democratic model. We encourage the Egyptians to work along these lines”, a statement from Quai d'Orsay said.
That same day, Britain's Foreign Minister William Hague underlined how important it is for the military power to remain in charge to oversee the coming elections. There should then, he said, be the “speediest possible transition to civilian democratic rule in Egypt”.
The Italian foreign minister, Giulio Terzi, urged the parties, on Tuesday 22 November, to cease all violence and to show proof of calm and moderation with a view to the forthcoming electoral process. The president of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, regretted, on Monday 21 November, that the Egyptian authorities had not invited the EU to send an observer mission to monitor elections.
Demonstrations in Egypt may compromise the holding of elections, scheduled to begin on 28 November. Several political and candidate parties have announced they are prepared to suspend their campaign but the Muslim Brotherhood, the best organised political force in the country, is hostile to any deferment. (CG/transl.jl)