Foreign minister: EU to offer Egypt assistance with elections

Prague, Sept 8 (CTK) - The EU is ready to help Egypt prepare elections or the subsequent counting of votes if Egypt asks for such help, Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg said after meeting his Egyptian counterpart Mohammed Kamel Amr in Prague yesterday.

Amr said Egypt has a detailed "road map" for its transition to democracy that sets November as the date of elections.

Schwarzenberg said it is up to Egypt to decide whether to ask for international help with organising the polls or not.

"I'd like to emphasise that it is really up to Egypt's decision. No one likes things being forced on him by others," Schwarzenberg added.

Amr said the presence of judges at Egyptian polling stations will ensure independent elections, not influenced by anyone.

All parties will be able to have their observers at the polling stations, he added.

Egypt is among the Arab countries where massive protests led to the fall of the former regime earlier this year. Former president Hosni Mubarak is facing a trial for contributing to the death of more than 800 demonstrators in January and February and also for suspected corruption.

In November, Egyptians are to elect members of the two houses of parliament, who will subsequently form a commission to create a new constitution.