Brussels, 23/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - The escalation of violence between the two Sudans causes deep concern for the EU, and it is a very firm message that the EU27 foreign ministers sent to the two parties concerned on Monday 23 April, urging them to immediately cease the attacks on each other's territory and to uphold the Memorandum of Understanding on Non-Aggression and Cooperation, to withdraw all security personnel from Abyei and avoid further provocative action, including inflammatory rhetoric. The Council underlines that the two parties must return to the negotiating table as a matter of urgency. It condemns the continued aerial bombardments and reported ground incursions into South Sudan by the Sudanese Armed Forces. Although it hails the recent announcement that South Sudan will be pulling its troops out of Heglig, the Council calls on Juba to refrain from any further attack of this kind, and on Khartoum not to attack SPLA forces during their withdrawal.
“The use of force will not resolve any of the outstanding issues between the two countries. The EU urges both to return to the existing negotiating process”, the Council states in its conclusions.
On the sidelines of the session, France said that sanctions were possible against South Sudan. When questioned on this, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton replied that the EU was not yet at that point, although several possibilities are being looked at.
Ashton said the situation must be closely monitored and that the PSC will deal with the political side. She said concrete measures have not yet been planned but that the EU will continue to be vigilant in order to encourage resumption of dialogue between the two Sudans. It is impossible, Ashton added, to prejudge the outcome of the situation, but the primary objective is to apply positive pressure. She gave her assurance that the EU would do everything in its power to encourage troop withdrawal, progress in talks and the recognition of borders. (AN/transl.jl)