Following the public address of President Hosni Mubarak on 10 February 2010 where he said he will not step down, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton reaffirmed the European Union position that the demands and expectations of the Egyptian people must be met. It is for the Egyptian people to judge whether the steps announced by President Mubarak fulfil their expectations and aspirations.

On 10 February 2010, in a TV public address to the people of Egypt, President Hosni Mubarak said he was not stepping down, although some powers are to be transferred to his vice president, Omar Suleiman. This public statement, where President Mubarak said he would not submit to foreign pressure, provoked rage on the streets of Egypt as people had been demanding President to quit during more than two weeks.

Following President Mubarak public speech, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, stressed that the European Union will pay close attention to the response by the Egyptian people in the coming hours and days. The EU salutes, Baroness Ashton said, the courage of the Egyptian people who have pursued their campaign for democratic change peacefully and with dignity. Violence can never be accepted, and peaceful but real and lasting transformation delivering deep democracy is what now Egypt requires. Full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is essential, and all abuses must be investigated.

High Representative stated EU's call on Egyptian authorities and the army to protect the peaceful demonstrators and act with calm and restraint. She reminded that an orderly and irreversible transition towards democracy and free and fair elections is the shared objective of both the EU and the Egyptian people. In so doing, the lifting of the state of emergency is a step forward and must be implemented as soon as possible.

The European Union will be ready with a package of measures to help and support the transition, and stands ready to help in any way it can. High Representative Catherine Ashton also reiterated her wish to travel to Egypt as soon as possible as mandated by the leaders of the European Union in the European Council.