The EU, Germany and the United Nations, together with the Sudanese government, are organising the international Sudan Partnership Conference on 25 June in Brussels to support the political transition in the African country.
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, announced this to the press on Friday 15 May at the end of the videoconference of EU Foreign Ministers.
"It will be an opportunity for the international community to recall and renew their support to the political transition in Sudan, including I hope, concrete pledges”, Mr. Borrell said.
Sudan was the first country that the High Representative visited upon taking up his duties (see EUROPE 12437/10).
When asked by the press what the EU was going to do, and whether the High Representative intended to make a personal commitment to help resolve the crisis between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan over the Great Renaissance Dam on the waters of the Nile, the High Representative pointed out that this was not something that EU ministers had discussed.
Nevertheless, he expressed concern about the threat posed by these tensions to “the stability of the entire region”. Noting that the EU has so far unsuccessfully requested to take part in the talks, which are being facilitated by the United States, he emphasised that “we would like to participate”.
“We are following the talks closely. The talks are being facilitated by the United States. We regret that it has not been possible to find a solution. We are not part of the facilitating activity. Of course, we are ready to appease the situation and find a pragmatic solution”, Borrell said.
The High Representative said that he had “spoken with the various parties in recent weeks” and had “strongly encouraged them to continue engaging and find a commonly agreed way forward”.
Talks are still at an impasse regarding the filling of the reservoir for the future dam. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)