EUHR Solana expresses serious concern about the deteriorating security situation in Darfur

Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), today expressed serious concern at the new deteriorating security situation in Darfur.

Mr Solana urged all parties to refrain from violence and to avoid any action that could put at risk lives in Darfur. It is of the utmost importance that all the parties respect the N'djamena cease-fire and that its monitoring mechanisms continue to operate. The Government of Sudan should keep the negotiation lines open to get the non-signatories on board for the Darfur Peace Agreement. The non-signatories to the Agreement should join the peace process.

In line with the conclusions of the international conference held in Brussels on 18 July, the High Representative reiterates that the European Union fully supports the efforts of the African Union and the United Nations to achieve, in close coordination, a successful transition without which any realistic solution to the Darfur crisis is impossible.

Mr Solana asked the EU Special Representative for the Sudan to go to the region in the coming days to pass on these messages. Mr Pekka Haavisto will have meetings next week with the Government of Sudan, with Darfur armed movements, the African Union, the UN and other international partners about ways and means to prevent a new escalation of violence and to move the peace process forward.

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• Darfur: EC President Barroso announces extra €40m in humanitarian aid (2/10/2006)
• European Commission statement on Darfur (18/9/2006)
• EU Council Conclusions on Sudan/Darfur (15/9/2006)
• EUHR Solana at Darfur Conference (18/7/2006)
• EU Council Conclusions on Sudan/Darfur (17/7/2006)
• EU General Affairs Council Conclusions (17/7/2006)
• EU Presidency Statement - Security Council Public Meeting on Sudan (29/6/2006)