EU’s Ashton calls for dialogue in Egypt

BRUSSELS, WASHINGTON EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton has called on all sides in Egypt to start a dialogue. She noted that the dialogue was necessary in order to make further progress toward sustainable democracy in the country. EU’s Ashton calls for dialogue in Egypt “I urge those concerned, in particular the president, to intensify efforts in this regard. It is of the utmost importance that the confidence and trust of all Egyptians in the process is restored,” said Ashton in a statement issued after the Egyptian authorities released official results of a referendum. According to the results, a draft Constitution was supported by 63.8 percent of 32.9 percent of citizens who voted in the referendum. Ashton noted that Egypt was a close partner of the EU and stressed her support for Egypt’s democratic transition. The U.S. on Tuesday urged all sides in Egypt to increase political engagement after Egyptian officials announced that voters had overwhelmingly approved a new constitution drafted by President Mohamed Morsi's Islamist allies, Reuters has reported. "President Morsi, as the democratically elected leader of Egypt, has a special responsibility to move forward in a way that recognizes the urgent need to bridge divisions," State Department Spokesman Patrick Ventrell said in a statement, noting that many Egyptians had voiced "significant concerns" over the constitutional process. "We hope those Egyptians disappointed by the result will seek more and deeper engagement. We look to those who welcome the result to engage in good faith. And we hope all sides will re-commit themselves to condemn and prevent violence," Ventrell said. The results of the referendum confirm the Muslim Brotherhood’s earlier unofficial assessments that the voters would overwhelmingly support the new Constitution. The draft Constitution was written by parliament dominated by Islamists, Morsi’s supporters. The president considers the document a key step in the country’s transition toward democracy. However, the opposition claims that the new Constitution will introduce the Sharia law and favor Islamists and that it will not protect freedoms and human rights, which was precisely the reason why Egyptians decided to topple former President Hosni Mubarak last year. Numerous protests were held over the controversial Constitution and at least eight people were killed when Morsi’s supporters and opponents clashed in front of the presidential palace in Cairo. Catherine Ashton (Beta/AP, file) Tanjug

EU’s Ashton calls for dialogue in Egypt

“I urge those concerned, in particular the president, to intensify efforts in this regard. It is of the utmost importance that the confidence and trust of all Egyptians in the process is restored,” said Ashton in a statement issued after the Egyptian authorities released official results of a referendum.

According to the results, a draft Constitution was supported by 63.8 percent of 32.9 percent of citizens who voted in the referendum.

Ashton noted that Egypt was a close partner of the EU and stressed her support for Egypt’s democratic transition.

The U.S. on Tuesday urged all sides in Egypt to increase political engagement after Egyptian officials announced that voters had overwhelmingly approved a new constitution drafted by President Mohamed Morsi's Islamist allies, Reuters has reported.

"President Morsi, as the democratically elected leader of Egypt, has a special responsibility to move forward in a way that recognizes the urgent need to bridge divisions," State Department Spokesman Patrick Ventrell said in a statement, noting that many Egyptians had voiced "significant concerns" over the constitutional process.

"We hope those Egyptians disappointed by the result will seek more and deeper engagement. We look to those who welcome the result to engage in good faith. And we hope all sides will re-commit themselves to condemn and prevent violence," Ventrell said.

The results of the referendum confirm the Muslim Brotherhood’s earlier unofficial assessments that the voters would overwhelmingly support the new Constitution.

The draft Constitution was written by parliament dominated by Islamists, Morsi’s supporters. The president considers the document a key step in the country’s transition toward democracy.

However, the opposition claims that the new Constitution will introduce the Sharia law and favor Islamists and that it will not protect freedoms and human rights, which was precisely the reason why Egyptians decided to topple former President Hosni Mubarak last year.

Numerous protests were held over the controversial Constitution and at least eight people were killed when Morsi’s supporters and opponents clashed in front of the presidential palace in Cairo.