Sudanese sovereignty integrity must be observed – Russia
Oct 19, 2006 (MOSCOW) –Any settlement reached in Sudan must be based on the principle of territorial integrity and the country’s sovereignty and be in accordance with the choice of the Sudanese people, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.
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We believe that all decisions must be based on the principle of territorial integrity, Sudan’s sovereignty and the choice of the Sudanese themselves,” Lavrov said, opening a meeting with Sudanese Defence Minister Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein in Moscow today.
The Russian minister noted that Moscow welcomes the efforts of the Sudanese government, which have allowed important settlements to be reached in three regions of Sudan in the last year.
Lavrov expressed the hope that the Sudanese leadership will find the best possible way of implementing all three agreements.
He noted that Russian peacekeepers “are actively participating in this through their operations in the south of Sudan”. “The situation in the province of Darfur remains the most difficult, but we are certain that constructive decisions will be taken here as well,” Lavrov said.
“The future of the entire region depends on the extent to which we are willing to demonstrate wisdom and foresight,” he said.
The Russian foreign minister said that Russia will help efforts being made to reach a settlement in Sudan by the UN secretary-general, the leaders of the African Union and the Arab League.
(ST)