Brussels, 21/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - The EU has encouraged South Sudan President Salva Kiir to continue his efforts to find a negotiated solution to post-secession matters of contention between the two Sudans. It also sent a message of support for the stability and lasting peace of the two countries. Kiir was making his first visit to Brussels on Tuesday 20 March, two weeks before the heads of state of the two neighbouring countries meet in summit on 3 April (see EUROPE 10578).
President Kiir thanked the EU for its relationship with his country “long before independence”, and expressed the hope that this relationship would grow further “from this solid foundation”. Speaking of the “serious” challenges facing his country in its relations with Khartoum, he welcomed the progress made last weekend in Addis Abeba, where “the framework for resolving the outstanding issues was launched”. He gave assurances of his desire to work to secure the viability of South Sudan and expressed the desire that Sudan should have the same viability, “the two parties having undertaken, on the independence of the South, to create two viable states”. It was precisely to resolve the outstanding issues that he had invited Omar al Bashir to Juba on 3 April, and he called on the EU to “use its influence to ensure this meeting takes place”.
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy assured Kiir that the EU would continue actively to help South Sudan build a “secure, stable and democratic country”, just as he confirmed the EU's active support for South Sudan's state building, development efforts, consolidation of democracy, and respect for human rights and the rule of law. He also, however, expressed his deep concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states. He appealed to Khartoum to “urgently allow the delivery of international humanitarian aid to avoid a humanitarian crisis”. European Commission President José Manuel Barroso congratulated Kiir on the progress made hitherto in discussions with Sudan to resolve outstanding citizenship and border demarcation issues, and encouraged him to continue his efforts. “I had the opportunity to express our concern regarding the possible political and economic consequences of the shut down in the production of oil, and our growing apprehension with the escalation of violence and cross-border military activity”, Barroso said on Tuesday. The same concerns and the same encouragements were voiced by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton. In a press release, she welcomed South Sudan's wish to accede to the Cotonou Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Africa, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP) countries. (AN/transl.rt)