Brussels, 20/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - A month after the conference of donors for South Sudan (see EUROPE 10516), EU27 foreign ministers will discuss the situation in Sudan and South Sudan at their meeting in Brussels on Monday 23 January amidst news of rising tension between the two countries and clashes in South Sudan in the state of Jonglei.
The Council is expected to confirm the EU's commitment to supporting the two countries in their moves towards peace and development, urging the Sudanese government to ensure full humanitarian access. The Council is expected to express great concern at lack of political progress on areas not yet decided upon in relation to the independence of South Sudan and to point out that the persistent conflict in the states of Southern Kordofan, the Blue Nile and Darfur is preventing mobilisation of all the aid that the EU would otherwise be able to supply.
The Council is expected to decide on a crisis-management plan to enable the sending of a security support mission to Juba international airport in Southern Sudan. (AN/transl.fl)