Brussels: The European Union has joined the United States in calling for an "orderly transition" to democratic rule in Egypt.
The bloc's executive commission on Wednesday expressed its "firm commitment to support the legitimate aspirations of the people of Egypt."
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has rejected protester's demands to step down immediately after nearly 30 years in office, but said Tuesday he would not seek re-election in September.
President Barack Obama said he had spoken to Mubarak and told him the transition must begin now and must include opposition parties.
The EU has had close relations with Egypt as part of its partnerships with other Mediterranean nations, and tens of thousand of EU citizens flock to Egyptian beaches in winter.
In recent days the EU has been criticized for being too timid in supporting pro-democracy demonstrations and for trailing behind Washington in distancing itself from Mubarak's regime.
"The European Commission calls for orderly transition and the holding of free and fair elections in Egypt," it said in Wednesday's statement.
In Paris, French President Nicolas Sarkozy also called for a political transition to start "without delay" in Egypt. He said in a statement that a transition is necessary "to respond to the desire for change and renewal forcefully expressed by the population."
Sarkozy has also come under criticism for failing to take a strong stand in support of the Egyptian protesters and for appearing to support the regime of Tunisian dictator President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, toppled in mass protests last month.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle called Mubarak's announcement "a step that clears the way for a new political beginning."
But the process of change should not be "delayed or postponed," he warned in Berlin.
Westerwelle stopped short of calling for Mubarak to resign, saying only: "Who leads Egypt in future will be decided in Egypt by the Egyptian people."
EU calls for transition to democracy in Egypt
