Brussels, 08/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - “Extremely worried” about the violent incidents at the Abaseya Coptic Cathedral in Cairo during the funerals of four Copts (Egyptian Christians) who had been killed two days earlier, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton contacted the Egyptian Presidency on 7 April, urging restraint and asking the security forces to control the situation. She said that she understood that President Mohammed Morsi had spoken with the head of the Coptic Church and condemned the violence. The violence left two dead and 89 wounded, but calm seemed to have returned on the morning of 8 April.
Ashton was in Cairo on 7 April to meet Morsi and political leaders to discuss the political and economic situation and for these parties to “build confidence and find common ground on both political and economic issues”. Before arriving in the country, Ashton said that this is a critical moment in Egypt's transition, adding that it faced huge economic and political challenges. “More than ever, Europe - as a partner and neighbour - has to support Egypt in its move towards deep and inclusive democracy”, she stated. (CG/transl.fl)