Brussels, 07/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - The EU welcomes the UN Security Council resolution of 2 May, which ordered Sudan and South Sudan to put an end to hostilities within 48 hours and to resolve outstanding post-secession issues between themselves.
In a declaration published on Saturday 5 May, Catherine Ashton, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, speaking on behalf of the EU, warmly welcomed this step forward, which she described as a step in the right direction which must now be translated into action. She pledged that the EU would continue to work with the international partners - particularly the African Union and the United Nations - to guarantee that the two neighbour countries will implement this resolution.
“The fact that Sudan and South Sudan have both welcomed the roadmap and confirmed their commitment to an immediate cessation of hostilities is an important first step in the right direction. These statements must now be matched by actions on the ground and by the immediate resumption of negotiations, starting with a meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism to address the security concerns of both sides. They must show their political and practical willingness to pursue the path of peace, not war”, said Ashton.
The High Representative also stressed the particular importance attached by the EU to the immediate activation of the joint board of verification and monitoring mechanism. Welcoming the immediate withdrawal of South Sudan's troops from the Abeyi area, which has been announced by Juba, Ashton called on the Sudanese government to do likewise. (AN/transl.fl)