EU-Sudan talks on peace and development in eastern states

Delegations from the EU have met with representatives of the Sudanese government at the Republican Palace in Khartoum this week, to discuss peace and development in the Sudan’s eastern states and the implementation of the Asmara Peace Agreement, signed in October 2006. The Sudanese delegation included Dr Mustafa Ismail, Minister of Investment, Dr Amna Dirar, State Minister of Labour, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the East Development Fund, as well as the leaders of eastern parties. The EU was represented by the Ambassadors of the European Union, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Greece, United Kingdom, Sweden, and Romania. During the meeting, chaired by assistant of the Sudanese President, Musa Mohamed Ahmed, a briefing was presented to the European delegation about the implementation level of the peace agreement and proposed projects for development in eastern Sudan. For their part, European Ambassadors briefed the Sudanese on projects funded and implemented by EU countries in eastern Sudan. The Head of Delegation of the EU to Sudan, Ambassador Tomas Ulincy, stressed the importance of access for the international organisations working in eastern Sudan, coordination between the federal and the local governments, and future cooperation in the fields of refugees and human trafficking. The EU Ambassadors will conduct a joint trip to the eastern states next month to visit European projects and discuss future areas for cooperation. File photo