Sudan Foreign Minister to visit Brussels

Ambassador Tomas Ulicny, Head of Delegation of the EU to Sudan, was received by Dr Ibrahim Ghandour, Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs today, to discuss the Minister’s visit to EU institutions on 15-17 February.

In a press statement this morning, the EU Delegation to Sudan announced that the Sudanese Minister will meet with Federica Mogherini, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the European Commission.

Ghandour will also meet Dimitris Avramopoulos, the Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, and Christos Stylianides the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management. In the course of his visit, Ghandour will also meet with other high ranking European decision makers in the areas of human rights, democracy, and climate change, as well as leading members of the European Parliament and ambassadors of the 28 member states to the EU Political and Security committee.

Ambassador Ulicny said: “The visit is a step in the right direction for the Euro-Sudanese relations. It will open a door for a better understanding of Sudan and the region and provide an opportunity to explore new areas for cooperation, including migration, prevention of radicalisation and climate change. It will further pave the way for a permanent political European-Sudanese dialogue.

“In 2016, there are 68 ongoing development and humanitarian projects supported by the European Union and implemented by UN Agencies, international organisations and Sudanese non-governmental organisations worth more than 150 million Euros. The visit will definitely discuss ways to better implement those projects including improved access to project sites”, the EU Ambassador stated.

Ulicny highlighted the importance of facilitating the role of international organisations in Sudan to implement their projects in accordance with their mandate and ensure continuous assistance. He said that rising needs, as a result of more regional and international conflict, are putting increased pressure on donors to respond, the press statement reads.

He further reiterated the support of the EU to peace and stability in Sudan, and confirmed that the EU welcomes Ghandour’s visit to discuss enhanced relations.