BRUSSELS, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The foreign policy chief of the European Union (EU) Catherine Ashton urged all sides of Egypt to rapidly return to the democratic process in a statement issued at Wednesday midnight.
"I am following closely developments in Egypt and am fully aware of the deep divisions in society, popular demands for political change and efforts at brokering a compromise," Ashton said after Egypt's first freely elected president, Mohamed Morsi was ousted by Egypt's armed forces.
Ashton urged all sides of the country to rapidly return to the democratic process, including the holding of free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections and the approval of a constitution, so as to permit the country to resume and complete its democratic transition.
She said the EU expected the new Egyptian administration would be fully inclusive and reiterated the importance of ensuring full respect for fundamental rights, freedoms and the rule of law. She said she would hold the authorities to account for this.
Ashton also called on all sides of Egypt to exercise maximum restraint and strongly condemned all violent acts, and urged the Egyptian security forces to do everything in their power to protect the lives and well-being of Egyptian citizens.
"The European Union remains unequivocally committed to supporting the Egyptian people in their aspirations to democracy and inclusive governance," Ashton said.
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