European High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton (L) shakes hands with Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik during their meeting in Cairo February 22, 2011. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in Egypt that she would urge the current leadership to hold elections as soon as possible.[Photo/Agencies]

CAIRO - EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in Egypt that she would urge the current leadership to hold elections as soon as possible.

"I will urge the current leadership to make progress with constitutional change paving the way for free and fair parliamentary and presidential elections," Ashton, who was in Egypt on Tuesday, said in a statement released before her visit.

"The EU stands ready to support the democratic transition and I intend to discuss in Cairo how the EU can best assist Egypt," she said.

Egypt's Hosni Mubarak resigned on February 11 after mass protests, and the country is now being governed by a military council.

The trip by Ashton, who is the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, follows a visit to Egypt on Monday by British Prime Minister David Cameron, the first by a foreign leader since Mubarak quit.

William J. Burns, US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, also visited on Monday.

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa (R) speaks during a news conference with European High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton in Cairo February 22, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]