Ashton hopes new administration in Egypt to be fully inclusive

EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy has voiced hope that the new administration in Egypt will be fully inclusive. In a statement on Wednesday, Ashton reiterated the importance of ensuring full respect "for fundamental rights, freedoms, and the rule of law and will hold the authorities to account for this." "I urge all sides to rapidly return to the democratic process, including the holding of free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections and the approval of a constitution, to be done in a fully inclusive manner, so as to permit the country to resume and complete its democratic transition," she added. Ashton condemned all violent acts and offered her condolences to the families of the victims, calling on security forces to do everything in their power to protect the lives and well-being of Egyptian citizens. "I call on all sides to exercise maximum restraint," she said, adding that the EU remains unequivocally committed to supporting the Egyptian people in their aspirations to democracy and inclusive governance.