Egyptian President Mohammad Mursi will take off Thursday to Brussels for talks with European Union leaders on his first trip to Europe since his election, the EU said in a statement.

Egyptian President Mohammad Mursi will take off Thursday to Brussels for talks with European Union leaders on his first trip to Europe since his election, the EU said in a statement.

According to AFP, Mursi is due to meet EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso.

"The European Union is very much looking forward to President Mursi's first visit to Brussels, as it is an opportunity at the highest level to reiterate the EU's support for Egypt's democratic transition and our eagerness to engage with the country's new civilian authorities in furthering our partnership," the statement said.

Moreover, the EU stressed "the fundamental importance of a speedy finalisation of a new constitution that safeguards the rights and freedoms of all Egyptians, and the holding of parliamentary elections as soon as possible afterwards that will complete the process."

"The EU stands ready to step up its contribution to Egypt's economic recovery, continue strengthening trade and investment flows and further reinforce contacts between our peoples," it added.

After Brussels, the Egyptian president will head to Rome for talks with his Italian counterpart Giorgio Napolitano and Prime Minister Mario Monti, AFP quoted Egyptian officials as saying.