Joint Statement by European Council President, Herman Van Rompuy, European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, and EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton, on Recent Developments in Egypt

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a joint statement by European Council President, Herman Van Rompuy, European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, and EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton:

"We welcome the decision made by President Mubarak today. 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.

"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.

"An orderly and irreversible transition towards democracy and free and fair elections is the shared objective of both the European Union and the Egyptian people.

"Violence can never be accepted. Respect of Human Rights and fundamental freedoms is key.

"The preservation of regional peace and stability should remain our shared priority.

"The future of Egypt rightly remains in the hands of the Egyptian people. We call on the Army to continue to act responsibly and to ensure that the democratic change takes place in a peaceful manner.

"The EU stands ready to help with all its instruments."

Background: Press briefing by Catherine ASHTON, EU High Representative / EC Vice-President

http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/player/streaming.cfm?type=ebsvod&sid=174086  

SOURCE Delegation of the European Union to the United States