PRESS RELEASE

OSCE PA President calls for peace and democracy in Egypt

President of the OSCE P.A. Mr. Petros Efthymiou made the following statement regarding recentunrest in Egypt:"The ardour for democracy manifested by the people of Egypt provides anopportunity for real changes in the country, in the direction ofstrengthening democratic institutions and promoting democratic governanceand social justice that shall culminate in free and fair elections."We call for the cessation of violence and the immediate restoration offreedom of expression and media freedom. The OSCE PA is ready to participate in all effortssupporting democratic developments in the country."

Cairo has shut down the Internet and the Committee to Protect Journalistshas reported more than fifty cases of journalists being assaulted, detainedor otherwise harassed while trying to do their jobs of informing the worldabout the current uprising.Egypt, as a Partner for Co-operation with the OSCE, hosted in December 2009 the Organization'sMediterranean Conference."The people of Egypt have spoken and their voices must not be silenced byviolence," said U.S. Congressman Alcee L. Hastings, the PA's SpecialRepresentative on Mediterranean Affairs. "The immediate and long-termstability of Egypt depends on the swift creation of an open and inclusiveinterim government to manage the transition to democracy."Media Contact:Neil Simon+45 33 37 80 36[email protected]