European commissioner Louis Michel visits Sudan

BRUSSELS, Belgium, Nov 25, 2004 (PANA) — The new European commissioner for development cooperation and humanitarian aid, Louis Michel left Brussels Wednesday for a two-day visit to Sudan, where he is to hold discussions with government officials, rebel leaders and humanitarian organisations operating in the country.

The former Belgian Foreign minister told a news conference
earlier Tuesday that the visit would help him assess the
situation in the restive wester region of Darfour.

The European Union is concerned about the deterioration of the humanitarian situation there, including breaches of cease-fire agreements between the warring parties, he said.

He said the European Union objects to the decision by Khartoum to forcibly relocate some refugees. However, he hailed efforts by the African Union to send troops to Darfur, coupled with progress in the peace talks in Abuja, Nigeria.