Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry expressed his country’s keenness on the participation of European observers in supervising the presidential elections, which are due to be held by the end of March. In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat from Brussels on Thursday, Shoukry said that he addressed this issue during his meeting with EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini, on the sidelines of the meeting of the International Donor Group for Palestine (Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, AHLC). Presidential elections in Egypt will take place on March 26, 27 and 28. The competition is limited to current President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and “Ghad” Party leader Moussa Mustafa Moussa. In a statement from Brussels, Shoukry said that Egypt has stressed its keenness on the participation of European observers. “For many years, the European Union has been pressing and expressing concern over Egypt’s rejection of international monitoring of the elections; but after the June 30, 2013 revolution, developments that have taken place, as well as the political reform, we are now seeking the participation of our partners, the European Union and other countries, in addition to human rights organizations in the upcoming elections,” he stated. “There is a role to play in strengthening Egyptian capabilities, and there are associations and organizations that provide support to achieve the democratic path,” he added. Shoukry stressed his country’s desire to “have a transparent and fair presidential election for the sake of the Egyptian people and the achievements made since the revolution of January 25, 2011 and that of June 30, 2013.” At the end of September 2015, the European Union sent an experts mission to assess Egypt’s parliamentary elections upon the invitation of the Egyptian government.