Brussels, 22/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - Speaking on behalf of the EU, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton has welcomed the agreement signed in Addis Ababa on 21 June on the withdrawal of all military forces from Abyei and expressed her deep concern about ongoing violence in Southern Kordofan. In a press release published on Tuesday 21 June, Ashton sees the agreement between the government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement as “an important first step towards peace in Abyei”, the petrol-rich region disputed by both North and South, and “calls upon the two parties to implement the agreement as quickly as possible to allow for the swift deployment of Ethiopian peacekeepers and concrete improvements in the humanitarian situation on the ground”.
The high representative commends the AU High Level Implementation Panel chaired by President Mbeki, Prime Minister Meles and the UN Mission in Sudan “for their efforts in facilitating this agreement”. Ashton, “deeply concerned” by the situation in Southern Kordofan, reiterates her call for both sides to “stop hostilities immediately and allow unfettered humanitarian access”. These concerns had been expressed in virtually identical terms by foreign ministers meeting in Luxemburg on 20 June. In its unanimous conclusions, the Council urged the parties in Sudan to reach agreement on outstanding comprehensive peace agreement issues, such as citizenship, management of the oil sector and border arrangements. That these have still to be settled is felt to be “particularly worrying”. The Council said it was alarmed by the violence and subsequent displacement of civilians in Southern Kardofan and deplored the military action by the Sudanese armed forces in Abyei and the increasing violence in Darfur, where civilians continue to be targeted. It urged “all parties in Southern Kardofan, Abyei, Darfur and South Sudan to protect civilians and to ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to vulnerable populations”. With the approach of 9 July, the date scheduled for the proclamation of independence of South Sudan, the Council restated its commitment to help Sudan and South Sudan in the “promotion of democratic governance, respect for human rights and a peaceful and prosperous future for all Sudanese people”. The proposal by Catherine Ashton to open an EU delegation in Juba, South Sudan, as soon as conditions permit, was supported by member states. (A.N./transl.rt)