Sudan FM hails efforts of European Union in Darfur

KHARTOUM, Oct 24, 2004 (SUNA) — The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mustafa Osman Ismail, has hailed the efforts being exerted by the European Union in Sudan, particularly in the fields of humanitarian aid in Darfur region.

EU Foreign Policy chief Javier Solana with Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail at a joint press conference held in Khartoum, Sudany Oct 24, 2004 (AFP).

At a joint press conference he held Sunday with the visiting European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief, Javier Solana, at the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sunday, Ismail explained that the Sudanese-European dialogue has reached an advanced stage.

In this regard, the Minister described the visit of the EU Foreign Policy Chief to Sudan as successful and fruitful, explaining that he visited Addis Ababa and extended assistance to the African Union that would positively reflect on the situations in Darfur.

Concerning his talks with the European Union’s official, Ismail explained that they held fruitful discussions. The minister said that Solana welcomed the cooperation between the government and the international community and affirmed that progress has been achieved.

Ismail said that the EU official stressed that the existence of the African Union’s mission and the cease-fire observers in Darfur would contribute to improvement of the situation there