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EU's Ashton says crucial for all to join Egypt political process

03 October 2013 17:51 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton said on Thursday it was important for all sides to feel they can take part in a political process in Egypt, APA reports quoting Todays Zaman.

Ashton has been in Cairo this week to encourage reconciliation between the Muslim Brotherhood and the interim government, which was installed after the army removed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi on July 3 following mass protests against his rule.

There was, however, no sign of an immediate breakthrough in the deadlocked political crisis between the now outlawed Brotherhood and the army-backed government, which has refused to negotiate with them.

Ashton and several other Western envoys have failed in the past to persuade the military to avoid using force against Morsi's supporters and halt an ongoing crackdown against the Brotherhood.

"It is important to find ways to have the right kind of dialogue and that's what we have been urging everyone," Ashton told reporters after meeting army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

"My guess is that process will take a little time to do but it's important for everybody to feel that they are able to participate in the process as well as ultimately in political life," said Ashton, adding that the European Union was not involved in mediating any talks.