Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


EU Top Diplomat Urges Mubarak to Talk With Opposition

   VOA News  January 31, 2011
   European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton (File Photo).

Photo: AP

   European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton (File Photo).

   As  world  leaders closely watch Egypt's turmoil, the European Union's
   top  diplomat is urging Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to respond to
   the  complaints  of anti-government protesters and hold talks with the
   opposition.
   Catherine  Ashton  said  before a meeting with EU foreign ministers in
   Brussels   on  Monday  that  Mubarak  should  answer  "the  legitimate
   grievances  of  the  Egyptian  people."Â   She called for a immediate,
   "peaceful  way  forward"  based  on a dialogue with all parts of civil
   society.

   Ashton's spokeswoman, Maya Kocijancic, told VOA the situation in Egypt
   will be a priority at Monday's meeting.
   U.S.  President Barack Obama has called for an "orderly transition" to
   a more responsive government in Egypt.

   British,  French and German leaders also have spoken out, urging their
   Egyptian  counterpart  to "embark on a process of transformation which
   should  be  reflected in a broad-based government and in free and fair
   elections."

   British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Nicolas Sarkozy
   and  German  Chancellor  Angela  Merkel  did  not  call  for Mubarak's
   resignation.
   In  Israel,  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his country is
   following  the anti-government protests in Egypt "with vigilance," and
   he hopes that peaceful relations will continue.
   The Arab nation of more than 80 million people has a peace treaty with
   Israel  and has played a major role as a mediator between Israelis and
   Palestinians.
   But  there is significant anti-Israel sentiment in Egypt, and analysts
   say  Israel  is  concerned  that a new Egyptian government may nullify
   that peace treaty.
   NEW: Follow our Middle East reports on [1]Twitter
   and discuss them on our [2]Facebook page.

   Â

   Â
   Ashton's spokeswoman, Maya Kocijancic, told VOA the situation in Egypt
   will be a priority at Monday's meeting.
   U.S.  President Barack Obama has called for an "orderly transition" to
   a more responsive government in Egypt.

References

   1. http://twitter.com/VOAMidEast
   2. http://www.facebook.com/pages/VOAMiddleEastVoices/124360240958667?%20%20%20%20v=wall

.