Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the EU on the fourth anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Sudan on 9 January
The European Union would like to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in Sudan, which is of fundamental importance for promoting peaceful coexistence between Northern and Southern Sudan as well as for peace and stability in Sudan as a whole.
The European Union reaffirms the strategic importance of the implementation in good faith of the CPA and reiterates its conviction that the signatories of the CPA, the National Congress Party and the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement, must live up to their joint responsibility to advance on the way towards a peaceful and democratic Sudan.
The European Union commends the parties for agreeing on an arrangement for the resolution of the crisis in Abyei and urges them to seek durable and peaceful solutions in all of the “Three Areas” – Abyei, South Kordofan and Blue Nile in accordance with the CPA.
The demarcation of the North/South border is essential, as well as the settlement of the security arrangements between the parties. Continued positive implementation of the Wealth Sharing Protocol also remains important.
The fifth year of CPA implementation will be marked by a number of vital steps. Of particular significance among these are the stipulated national elections. Peaceful and credible conduct of elections remains of key importance as a vehicle for peaceful transformation of the Sudan as a whole. The passage of the electoral law as well as the establishment of the National Electoral Commission mark important prerequisites in this process. The European Union urges the parties to proceed with the necessary technical and legal preparations in order to establish an electoral environment conducive to the holding of free and fair elections at the earliest convenient time taking into consideration the timetable set by the CPA.
In order to promote the credibility and transparency of the electoral process the European Union is ready to consider deploying a European Election Observation Mission in close coordination with the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).
The European Union attaches great importance to the work of the Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC), which proved to be an important mechanism for dialogue between the Sudanese parties and key international partners to the CPA. The European Union underlines its commitment to further strengthen the role of the AEC in ensuring full implementation of the CPA.
A stable and peaceful development of the Sudan requires a durable political resolution of the conflict in Darfur. The Government of National Unity must spare no effort to bring an end to the suffering of the people of Darfur. The European Union strongly supports the role played by the Joint Chief Mediator of the African Union and the United Nations, Djibrill Bassolé, and urges the Government and the Darfur rebel movements to join his effort to find a peaceful settlement of the Darfur crisis. Full deployment of the UNAMID mission is a key factor for improvement of the security situation and thereby for ensuring that vital humanitarian support can reach the people in need. The European Union urges all the parties to agree on an effective ceasefire and to show full respect for international humanitarian law.
The European Union will remain a committed partner in support of the implementation of the CPA as well in all efforts to bring peace and development to the People of Sudan.
The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Armenia align themselves with this declaration.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
Last update: 16.8.2011 15:55
