Germany and Italy have expressed deep concern over the violent clashes between protesters and security forces in Egypt over the past two days.
The foreign ministers of both countries issued a joint statement in Rome on Sunday in which they called on all parties to halt the use of violence immediately.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and his Italian counterpart Giulio Terzi urged all political powers and official institutions in Egypt to create a peaceful atmosphere, which is prerequisite for democratic transformation in Egypt.
Meanwhile, Catherine Ashton, the European Union's foreign policy chief, expressed extreme concern over the developments in Egypt.
She deplored the loss of life and injuries, and expressed solidarity with the victims' families.
Ashton stressed that law and order must be ensured in a way that respects human rights. Citizens and political parties' democratic demands must be listened to, she said.
She called for restraint and strongly condemned the use of violence.
According to fresh statistics from the Health Ministry, 20 people have been killed in the clashes and hundreds more injured.
