Brussels, 10/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 10 December, Europeans called the Egyptians to dialogue. On arrival at the Foreign Affairs Council, where the ministers will discuss the situation in Egypt, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton called for a “real inclusive dialogue” and “de-escalation in tension”. She said that “it's important that there be a constitution in Egypt. It is (…) the greatest protection that people can have and it is important to see a political process that's moving forward.” Ashton therefore called all the parties to get together and work on making this as effective as possible. She said that the Egyptians must have a strong inclusive process to continue democratic transition and achieve the peace and security that they need.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said he wanted to see an effective dialogue and a democratic Egypt that works, adding that he is not for one party or another. His counterpart from Italy, Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata, said that working on a new constitution is a delicate process. He expressed his hope that the will of the people again be expressed and that the Egyptian institutions be respected. He called for moderation, for discussion, and for the pluralism and wealth of the composition of the Egyptian population to be assured.
In the view of Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Garcia-Margallo, the minimum would be to delay the referendum on the constitution, and he said that the best would be to receive the text of this constitution. (CG/transl.fl)