EU slams Egypt violence, says it will 'urgently review' relations

The European Union says it will “urgently review” its relations with Egypt where more than 800 people have died in clashes between security forces and supporters of deposed President Mohammed Morsi.

The Presidents of the European Commission and the European Council, Jose Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy, said Sunday in a rare joint foreign policy statement that it’s the responsibility of the army and the interim government to end the violence.

They say calls for democracy and fundamental rights “cannot be disregarded, much less washed away in blood,” adding “the violence and the killings of these last days cannot be justified nor condoned.”

EU foreign ministers are expected to hold an emergency meeting on Egypt this week. The bloc is a major source of aid and business for Egypt.

Associated Press