Brussels, 25/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 25 May, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton hailed the way in which presidential elections were held in Egypt on 23-24 May, saying they mark “a step forward in Egypt's democratic transition”. Ashton's spokesman, Michael Mann, said that, for the first time in the history of the Egyptian people, they have had an opportunity to elect their president during real, competitive elections.
According to her spokesman, Ashton was “greatly encouraged” by good reports of the first round of the elections, while saying that they must wait for the process to be complete and for the counting of votes to be accomplished. “Millions of citizens stood in line to cast their votes and decide their future in a peaceful and orderly manner”, Mann said. He went on to add that Ashton “wishes to congratulate the Egyptian people and to salute their peaceful struggle for their rights and democratic aspirations”. She considers “they are the winners of these elections”. According to first estimates, the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, Mohammed Mursi, and General Ahmed Shafiq, who was at one time Mubarak's prime minister during the revolution, will be face to face in a presidential run-off on 16-17 June. (CG/transl.jl)