EU’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton will hold talks in Cairo on Monday after a weekend of tension during which 72 people where killed at a demonstration in support of ousted President Mohamed Morsi.
A statement from Ashton’s office said her visit was in response to ‘’requests from key stakeholders.’’
During the visit she will meet with acting President Adly Mansour, Vice-President Mohamed ElBaradei, Minister of Defence General Abd Al Fattah Al Sissi and other members of the interim government.
She will also hold talks with other political forces, including representatives of Freedom and Justice Party, and representatives of civil society.
Ahead of her trip, Catherine Ashton said: "I am going to Egypt to speak to all sides and to reinforce our message that there must be a fully inclusive transition process, taking in all political groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood. This process must lead - as soon as possible - to constitutional order, free and fair elections and a civilian-led government. I will also repeat my call to end all violence. I deeply deplore the loss of life. The EU is determined to help the Egyptian people on their journey to a stable, prosperous and democratic Egypt."
On Friday she called on the Egyptian interim authorities ‘’to ensure peaceful and orderly demonstrations.’’
She also urged all actors ‘’to refrain from violence and to respect the principles of peaceful protest and non-violence.’’ ‘’Human Rights, including the fundamental freedoms of association and expression must be respected,’’ she said.
She insisted on the release of all political detainees, including Morsi and his close advisors.
The President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, also commented on the latest developments in Egypt. ‘’I regret that last night security forces have failed to protect the lives of so many Egyptians,’’ he said, calling on all sides ‘’to seek a credible political path to bring Egypt back to a peaceful and an inclusive process towards democracy, constitutionalism and reconciliation.’’
‘’I also call for an end to the politicisation of justice and to free political prisoners, including former President Mohamed Morsi and his advisers,’’ Schulz said.