Sudanese-European officials discuss ties, peace process

By Sudanese TV

KHARTOUM, Dec 18, 2003 — In a meeting today with the European Troika delegation, the president of the republic, Staff Lt-Gen Umar al-Bashir, commended the positive role expected to be played by the EU in boosting the Sudanese peace process.

Lt-Gen Al-Bashir urged the EU to exert efforts to push forward the peace process and to take part in reconstruction and development projects and in the resettlement of refugees.

After the meeting, the minister of external relations, Dr Mustafa Uthman Isma’il, said the delegation presented a report on the Sudanese-European dialogue. He said the delegation reiterated the EU’s commitment to back Sudan in all domains.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese-European officials have held joint talks at the Ministry of External Relations. The Sudanese side was led by the minister of external relations, Dr Mustafa Uthman Isma’il, while the European side was led by the Italian deputy foreign minister, Alfredo Mantica.

The two sides discussed the outcome of the previous talks. The minister of external relations, Dr Mustafa Uthman Isma’il, stressed the government’s commitment to the Abeche peace agreement signed with Darfur rebels.

He reiterated the government’s keenness to bring about peace and freedom. He said the country’s cells were free from political prisoners.

In a news conference with the Troika delegation, the minister for external relations, Dr Mustafa Uthman Isma’il, touched on the measures taken by the government since the commencement of the dialogue. He pointed out the normalization of ties with the EU. An agreement was reached on the work plan for year 2004.

For his part, the head of the European Troika delegation commended the steps the government had taken regarding the peace process.

He said the EU would contribute 430m euros to the Sudanese government in order to help in the resettlement of refugees, after the signing of a peace accord.

BBC Monitoring Middle East