EU calls for implementation of road map in Egypt

The European Union Friday repeated calls for Egypt to return to the democratic process and hold parliamentary elections. Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, told a news conference that "what is key now is that Egypt returns to the democratic process including holding of presidential and parliamentary elections as well as the approval of the constitution that needs to be drafted in a fully inclusive manner". In reply to a question if the credibility of the EU will not be damaged by refusing to describe what happened in Egypt as a "military coup" and face accusations of double standards when it comes to Muslim countries she replied, "we believe that the armed forces seemed to have reacted in response to build up of tensions and polarisation and in support of a critical mass of Egyptian population". "Of course the announced roadmap has to be implemented and with clear deadlines as well," stressed the spokesperson. She added that "the principles that we stand for and defend remain unchanged and this is what we are doing in this case".