EU injects €100 million, calls for end to Sudan conflicts

The Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour has discussed the conflicts in Sudan and the country’s cooperation with the European Union, during the first day of meetings in Brussels. The European Commission will prepare a €100 million package to support Sudan in tackling irregular migration to Europe.

Federica Mogherini, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the European Commission, agreed with Ghandour to strengthen the relations in areas of shared interest on Tuesday.

The Sudanese Minister also met with EU Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, and with Christos Stylianides, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management on Wednesday.

The main topics were the need to resolve issues and end conflicts in Sudan, and the holding of the National Dialogue. Mogherini showed the Union’s concern about the ongoing conflicts in South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Darfur, as well as recurrent violations of human rights.

In a press statement, the EU said that the lack of timely access to the population in need remains a challenge for donors and partners.

Migrants

Ghandour discussed the issue of migration with both Mogherini and Avramopoulos, regarding the Valletta Action Plan adopted on 12 November last year, at the Migration Summit. Sudan “is ready to tackle irregular migration”, he said, “to reduce onward movement to Europe”.

For this matter the EU Emergency Trust Fund announced it will prepare a €100 million package for Sudan to support concrete efforts to tackle migration. A follow-up mission from the EU will be fielded shortly to Khartoum.

The official Suna News Agency reported that Ghandour has described the talks as “a positive step in enhancing the relations” between Sudan and the EU.

He stressed the importance of resuming development aid to Sudan along with writing off Sudan’s debts, and pointed out negative impacts of the international economic sanctions that are imposed on Sudan.

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'More EU-Sudan cooperation needed to combat human trafficking': EU Ambassador (25 October 2015)