EU welcomes Sudan’s decision to revoke expulsion of envoys
August 25, 2007 (BRUSSELS) — The European Commission welcomed on Saturday the Sudanese government’s decision to allow the Commission’s chief representative in Khartoum to return to complete his tenure, which expires next month.
Following direct contact taken by EU Commissioner Louis Michel with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, “the Sudanese government has indicated that the European Commission’s Head of Delegation is welcome to return to Khartoum to complete his mandate,” said the European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union (EU).
The Commission also expressed its satisfaction that the matter was resolved positively and described the outcome as “an encouraging development, which will facilitate good and productive relations between Sudan and the European Commission.”
Sudan revoked its Thursday decision to expel the European Commission’s chief representative, Kent Degerfelt, and acting Canadian charge d’affaires Nuala Lawlor for engaging in activities Sudan considered interference in its internal affairs, after President al-Bashir accepted an apology from EU Commissioner Michel for mistakes made by Degerfelt, Sudan’s Rayaam daily reported on Saturday.
According to Sudanese Minister of State at the Sudanese Foreign Ministry Ali, the two envoys were seeking release of opposition figures arrested over an alleged coup attempt, which he described as “flagrant interference” of the Sudanese internal affairs, Sudanese media reported.
In a telephone call Friday night, Michel asked the Sudanese president to allow Degerfelt of Sweden to continue his works in Khartoum until the end of his term which will end within three weeks, the paper reported.
“President al-Bashir has accepted the apology and agreed the (EU) ambassador to stay until the end of his term,” Sudanese Presidential spokesman Mahjoub Fadl Badri told the paper.
(Xinhua)