CAIRO: Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission, will be in Egypt on Thursday, a statement from her office said Wednesday. During her visit, she is expected to meet with new President Mohamed Morsi and the Head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi. She also will meet with Egyptian women to discuss the current situation facing women in the country after a number of sexual violence reports shocked the international community. The High Representative will discuss recent political developments in Egypt and reiterate the EU's continued support to the democratic transition in the country. Ashton will be making the keynote address at the EU conference on “Egyptian Women: The Way Forward.” The main objective of the event is to discuss the “way forward for Egyptian women in different spheres of public and private life: political, economic, social and legal, and to learn from the ongoing support by the EU to improve future cooperation and engagement,” the EU statement read. On the eve of her visit, Ashton said: “I am very much looking forward to meeting President Morsi. The EU will continue to do all it can to support the peaceful and orderly transition to a civilian and democratic government in Egypt. “Egypt is a key player in the Arab world, and a full and reliable partner in international affairs, so steps forward in Egypt are crucial for democracy-building in the Middle East and North Africa. The EU is aware there are many challenges ahead. But will continue to stand by Egypt and its people in their quest for both deep democracy and economic opportunity. Since the very start, women have played a key role in the revolution. They are an inspiration to us all. That is why I am delighted to have organized this conference on ‘Egyptian Women: The Way Forward'."
