European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton met with Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi on Sunday to support the country's democratic and economic transition, official news agency MENA reported.

Morsi praised the role of the EU in support of Egypt and stressed the wide extent that the EU could help Egypt in the transition, according to a presidential statement.

The president asserted the importance of the EU in taking effective steps to support the developmental efforts in light of results of the meetings of EU-Egyptian working group last November.

For her part, Ashton expressed her content on the economic and political relations between the EU and Egypt, affirming the EU's will to stand beside Egypt in responding to its people's aspirations and ambitions.

The talks also tackled the peace process in the Middle East, as Morsi praised the importance of the EU in urging Israel to stick to its international obligations and halting establishing settlements in the occupied territories.

On Saturday, Ashton said her visit comes in a critical stage in Egypt's democratic transition.

"This is a critical time for Egypt's transition. The country is facing huge economic and political challenges," Ashton said before her talks with Morsi.

She asserted that Europe has to support Egypt in its move toward a deep and comprehensive democracy.

Ashton also met with opposition leader and ex-presidential candidate Amr Moussa and will later meet with al-Wafd chairman El- Sayyed el-Badawi and leaders of the main opposition bloc National Salvation Front. Endi

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