It is of utmost importance that (the) democratic process be completed in accordance with the commitments undertaken by the Egyptian leadership," a spokesman for EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement.
These commitments included "the separation of powers, the independence of justice, the protection of fundamental freedoms and the holding of democratic parliamentary elections as soon as possible", he said.
Mursi's decree on Thursday also shielded from legal challenge an Islamist-dominated assembly writing Egypt's new constitution, as well as the upper house of parliament, which is dominated by Islamists allied to Mursi.
Mursi's aides said the move, which also gave the president new powers that allowed him to sack the Mubarak-era prosecutor general and appoint a new one, was to speed up the country's protracted transition that has been hindered by legal obstacles.
But the declaration raised fears among secular-minded Egyptians that the Muslim Brotherhood, where Mursi has his roots, and the group's allies aim to dominate the new Egypt.
EU calls on Egypt to respect democratic process | Reuters
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