European Union leaders welcomed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s decision to step down and called for an "orderly and irreversible transition towards democracy and free and fair elections."
“By standing down, he has listened to the voices of the Egyptian people and has opened the way to faster and deeper reforms, and an orderly transition to democracy,” they said in a joint statement.
The statement was issued by the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, and the EU’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
"The EU salutes the courage of the Egyptian people who have pursued their campaign for democratic change peacefully and with dignity. It is important now that the dialogue is accelerated leading to a broad-based civilian government which will respect the aspirations of, and deliver stability for, the Egyptian people," it said.
"An orderly and irreversible transition towards democracy and free and fair elections is the shared objective of both the EU and the Egyptian people."
“The preservation of regional peace and stability should remain our shared priority,” the statement added.
The EU also stressed that "violence can never be accepted. Respect of Human Rights and fundamental freedoms is key."
"The future of Egypt rightly remains in the hands of the Egyptian people," it said, calling on the Egyptian army "to continue to act responsibly and to ensure that the democratic change takes place in a peaceful manner."
The EU said it "stands ready to help with all its instruments."
In a separate statement, EU Parliament chief Jerzy Buzek stressed that "this is only a beginning of a long road to lasting change. A road of political transition, through constitutional reforms, free and pluralistic elections and strengthening of civil society - a road towards a truly participatory democracy for all. It is also a long road towards a more just economic and social order, building on the rule of law."
"We are also at the beginning of what has to become a renewed partnership between the Northern and Southern shores of the Mediterranean, a partnership that will be based on truly shared values: justice and peace, democracy and freedom. This will be a partnership of the people, by the people and for the people," Buzek said.