EU hopes Mubarak decision will pave way for broad-based democracy

Welcoming the decision of Hosni Mubarak to resign as the President of Egypt, following more than two weeks of pro-democracy demonstrations in Cairo and other cities, the European Union hoped that this would accelerate the transition and pave the way for a more broad-based democracy.

“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,” said a joint statement issued by the President of the European Council, Mr Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Commission, Mr Josanuel Barroso, and the EU High Representative, Ms Catherine Ashton, on the recent developments in Egypt.

“An orderly and irreversible transition towards democracy and free and fair elections is the shared objective of both the EU and the Egyptian people. Violence can never be accepted. Respect of human rights and fundamental freedom is key. The preservation of regional peace and stability should remain our shared priority,” the statement said.

Noting that the future of Egypt rightly remains in the hands of the Egyptian people, they called on the Army to continue to act responsibly and to ensure that the democratic change takes place in a peaceful manner.

“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 statement said.

“The EU salutes the courage of the Egyptian people who have pursued their campaign for democratic change peacefully and with dignity,” it said.

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