COPENHAGEN, 9 February 2011 -- President of the OSCE PA Petros Efthymiou made the following statement regarding recent unrest in Egypt:

"The ardour for democracy manifested by the people of Egypt provides an opportunity for real changes in the country, in the direction of strengthening democratic institutions and promoting democratic governance and social justice that shall culminate in free and fair elections.

"We call for the cessation of violence and the immediate restoration of freedom of expression and media freedom. The OSCE PA is ready to participate in all efforts supporting democratic developments in the country."

Cairo has shut down the Internet and the Committee to Protect Journalists has reported more than fifty cases of journalists being assaulted, detained or otherwise harassed while trying to do their jobs of informing the world about the current uprising.

Egypt, as a Partner for Co-operation with the OSCE, hosted in December 2009 the Organization's Mediterranean Conference.

"The people of Egypt have spoken and their voices must not be silenced by violence," said U.S. Congressman Alcee L. Hastings, the PA's Special Representative on Mediterranean Affairs. "The immediate and long-term stability of Egypt depends on the swift creation of an open and inclusive interim government to manage the transition to democracy."