Brussels, 25/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has paved the way for a conditional re-launch of cooperation with Sudan, suspended since 1990, following the peace accord signed in Nairobi on 9 January between the Sudanese government and the Southern rebel movement.
Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development, Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, first Vice-President of Sudan and Nhial Deng Nhi, Commissioner for external Relations of the SPLM (Sudanese People's Liberation Movement) signed a Country Strategy Paper in Brussels on Tuesday for their cooperation. Louis Michel said it was the first stage in the process of getting back to normal relations, and was a very important stage. In stages, it will allow the mobilisation of EUR 400 million earmarked for Sudan in parallel to the effective implementation of the peace agreement and the improvement of the situation in Darfur. Michel said he was fully hopeful and confident, describing the 'Comprehensive Peace Agreement' as positive and promising. Michel said that while waiting for the pledges made over Darfur to be turned into reality, he hoped to see more frequent political dialogue in order to build a closer relationship bit by bit and increased aid for health, education and food.
Vice President Taha also welcomed the positive outcome and expressed gratitude for all the EU's support during the negotiations of the peace agreement in Kenya. He said the Sudanese authorities were determined to deliver the peace dividend to the people of Sudan and resolve other conflicts, like the one in Darfur. He said the peace agreement did not only cover the dispute between the north and the south of the country, but also provided a basis for resolving other conflicts through power sharing in other parts of the country. We have pledged to take advantage of our experience to provide a rapid and fair solution to the conflict in Darfur, he said. Deng Nhia also thanked the EU for its support for the Sudanese people, saying the country had now entered a new phase, the phase of rebuilding, and people were full of hope.
The EUR 400 million earmarked for Sudan are made up of EUR 127.5 mil from the 9th European Development Fund, EUR 191 mil in transfer of resources for the losses incurred on earnings derived from farm exports, EUR 16.5 mil from programmes already decided but yet to be implemented, EUR 43 million from the EDF for unforeseen needs, particularly humanitarian needs, and EUR 5-10 mil per year in 'indicative budget line allocations' (excluding humanitarian aid).