Brussels, 14/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 11 May EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton welcomed the decision by the Egyptian Supreme Presidential Election Committee to invite members of other countries' election authorities to witness the presidential elections, scheduled to take place on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 May. “This is a very encouraging step in Egypt's transition to an open and democratic society”, said Ashton's spokesperson.
However, noting that the EU is very concerned about last week's outbreak of violence, Ashton called on all parties to show restraint and to focus on achieving peaceful transition as the country moves to elect its President and to hand over power to the new civilian authorities by the end of June. The high representative restated the interim authorities' responsibility to ensure full respect for fundamental human rights and to respond to the legitimate demands and aspirations of the Egyptian people, underlining her concern at the trial of Asmaa Mahfouz and the pressure on peaceful civil society players. (CG/transl.rt)