WASHINGTON
United States (US) Secretary of State John Kerry and the European Union foreign policy head Catherine Ashton released a statement on Wednesday calling for an end to both violence and intransigence on both sides in Egypt.
"While further violent confrontations have thus far been avoided," the joint statement said "we remain concerned and troubled that government and opposition leaders have not yet found a way to break a dangerous stalemate and agree to implement tangible confidence building measures."
Kerry and Ashton, underlining their support for any effort to reach a negotiated solution, stressed the Cairo government had a duty to protect Egyptian citizens, as well as the democratic process. They warned of the danger of more violence - and of apportioning blame.
"This remains a very fragile situation, which holds not only the risk of more bloodshed and polarization in Egypt, but also impedes the economic recovery which is so essential for Egypt's successful transition" they said.
The statement also said the two senior representatives of the European Union and the United States, Special Representative for the Southern Mediterranean Bernardino Leon and Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns, had been working together intensively over the past week to urge the government and opposition parties to begin a process of genuine reconciliation, and move ahead inclusively to consider amendments to the Constitution and prepare as quickly as possible for Parliamentary and Presidential elections.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
