January 20, 2008	Sunday	Muharram 10, 1429

CAIRO: Egypt has cancelled political talks with senior European Union officials after a European Parliament resolution criticised the state of human rights in Egypt, the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

“In light of the negative reaction triggered by the recent European Parliament resolution and the tense atmosphere it has created, the Egyptian side has informed the European Commission that the meeting ... for political consultation between both sides at this stage is inappropriate,” the ministry said in a statement.

The talks had been expected to take place on Wednesday and Thursday.—Reuters