Brussels, 30/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - Only a few days before the summit between the heads of state of South Sudan and Sudan is due to take place in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton is deeply concerned about the military clashes in the border region between Sudan and South Sudan. She urges both parties to resume negotiations on outstanding post-secession issues.
On Thursday 29 March, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir assured the Arab League Summit in Baghdad of his desire for good relations with South Sudan, which has been an independent nation since July of last year. In a press release published on Wednesday 28 March, the spokesperson for the high representative said: “Recent cross-border attacks and continued aerial bombing represent a dangerous escalation of an already tense situation. Further cross-border military activity could result in a wider military confrontation. The high representative calls on both Sudan and South Sudan to exercise maximum restraint, cease military operations in the border area and respect the commitments they made in their 10 February Memorandum of Understanding on Non-Aggression and Cooperation. The high representative urges both parties to resume negotiations on outstanding post-secession issues, proceed with the planned summit between the presidents of Sudan and South Sudan and make use of the forthcoming meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism in Addis Ababa to defuse tensions”. The EU reiterates its strong commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan and South Sudan and to the principle of two viable states. (AN/transl.rt)