The European Union fully recognises the serious social and economic challenges that Egypt is facing, EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton said on Monday at a press conference in Brussels.

The EU called on all parties to refrain from violence and reiterated condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in recent incidents.

"Anyone who commits an act of violence or any other act punishable by law must be referred to a civil court for trial regardless of his position," Ashton told the Middle East News Agency.

Ashton referred to her visit to Egypt last week, saying she wanted to meet deposed President Mohamed Mursi and stressed the importance of putting an end to politically motivated arrests as well as releasing of all political detainees, including Mursi.

She added that the situation in Egypt is "difficult".

Egypt has to move rapidly to an inclusive democratic transformation process by holding democratic elections in the shortest possible time, the EU high representative said. 

She underlined that the struggle for democracy should remain central and called on all political forces to engage in a process of reconciliation for the country's democratic future.

Regarding the Muslim Brotherhood's participation in politics, the EU top diplomatic figure said, "All political parties, including the Freedom and Justice Party, must be allowed to work freely and enjoy full freedom of expression."