Germany, Sudan sign €51m cooperation agreement
March 3, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – Germany and Sudan Thursday signed a €51 million cooperation agreement for the implementation of development projects in the three states of eastern Sudan, and five states of Darfur.
Following a meeting with the First Vice President Bakri Hassan Saleh on Tuesday, Silberhorn said the grant aimed to support Sudanese government efforts to host refugees and internally displaced people in Sudan.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Sudanese minister expressed his country’s appreciation for the German support.
He further stressed Sudan’s commitment to facilitate the work of the organizations implementing the German aid, saying the matter was discussed by the two sides.
For his part, the German minister said this step opens a new page of joint cooperation with Sudan. He added that the talks between the two sides has been intense for enhancing cooperation between the two countries.
Germany is the only European country backing the African Union efforts to settle the ongoing armed conflicts in Sudan. Also, it is facilitating efforts for democratic transition in the east African country.
Berlin calls on the international community to change in its handling of the isolated country, saying the tough approach policy has failed to bring any change.
Europe’s migration crisis allowed the German government to further develop its good relations with Khartoum and provide direct assistance to Sudan which is seen as regional ally that can help to stop the flow of migrants from Eritrea and Ethiopia to Europe.
During a meeting with the Sudanese foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour Wednesday, the visting German official announced his government his decision to increase its support for projects in eastern Sudan through the IGAD to ten million euro.
Ghandour will fly soon to Berlin for bilateral talks with his German counterpart.
(ST)