EU envoy to Sudan meets Ethiopia’s foreign minister
October 22, 2013 (ADDIS ABABA) – The European Special representative to Sudan, Rosalyn Marsland, on Monday paid a visit to Ethiopia where she held talks with foreign minister, Tedros Adhanom.
According to government sources, the discussions between the two sides covered on recent developments in Sudan and South Sudan including on political and humanitarian situation.
Other areas of discussion were on the current developments in the contested Abyei region and the contribution of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA)
Mrs. Marsden lauded Ethiopia’s proactive role being exerted to bring about durable peace between Sudan and South Sudan further mentioning the relative peace gained between the two former rival nations.
The Ethiopian foreign minister to his side reaffirmed that the Ethiopian government will continue its contributions to the peace process between the Sudan’s through ‘bilateral and multilateral channels’.
The two sides commended the visit of Sudanese President to Juba as a positive step towards facilitating implementation to a series of security and economic agreements signed between the two countries.
They said Bashir’s visit not only will advances normalizing the relations of the two Sudans but also helps to diffuse tensions in Abyei, a region claimed by both sides.
It was noted at the discussion that the importance of the African Union Peace and Security Commission visit and other confidence building measures underway to build trust between Sudan and South Sudan further calling on Juba and Khartoum to continue cooperation with the African Union (AU) with this regard.
The two the joint cooperation between the EU and Ethiopia on the Sudans as well as towards regional peace and security is gaining positive outcomes, sources said
The sides have also discussed on the polio vaccination campaign planed to be held in the areas held in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states by the rebel Sudan People’s Liberation Movement -North
Ethiopia is the current chair of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) which brokered the 2005 peace agreement that allowed South Sudan’s independence, and continues to mediate on the outstanding issues between the two countries besides an African Union panel headed by former South African president Thabo Mbeki.
(ST)