02/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - Ashton says let civil society play its role. On Wednesday 1 February, the EU urged the Egyptian authorities to ensure that monitoring of civil society organisations that receive foreign funding is done in line with appropriate legal procedures that respect the freedom of association. They were also urged to adopt a law on charities and foundations that complies with international standards. The spokesperson for the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs stressed that, as democratic transition progresses in Egypt, it is vital that civil society organisations are allowed to play their essential role as a pillar of a modern, open and democratic society. (CG/transl.fl)