WRITTEN QUESTION E-1392/02

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(15 May 2002)

Subject: Sudan

What progress is being made in terms of the resumption of normal relations between the EU and Sudan? Is there any identified progress in the ongoing political dialogue with the Sudanese Government?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(25 June 2002)

Positive steps have been made towards a progressive normalisation of relations between the Sudan and the Union.

From the Commission's side the three commitments for 2002 agreed upon during the Union Troïka Mission December 2001, were implemented as follows:

- the Management Unit for the Humanitarian Plus Programme was established before end January 2002;

- the notification letter by the Member of the Commission responsible for development and humanitarian aid for the 9th European Development Fund (EDF) allocation was delivered to the President of the Sudan on 29 January 2002, ahead of the date agreed with the Sudanese government;

- discussions for the preparation of the Country Strategy Paper with the Government, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) and Sudanese Non-State Actors (North and South) started in February 2002 and are progressing with a view to possible signature by end 2002.

As regards the Union's commitment to high level contacts, the above-mentioned Member of the Commission received Mr Mutrif Siddiq from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Sudanese contact point for the Union/Sudan political dialogue in Khartoum. This was an occasion to exchange views on the progress in the Union/Sudan dialogue.

The Directorate General for Development received for the first time since the suspension of co-operation the Sudanese Minister of Finance to discuss progress in the preparation of the Country Strategy Paper and the economic situation of the country.

The Commission assesses positively these first steps in the renewal of the Policy Dialogue with the Government and the SPLM/A and Civil Society.

The Commission recalls that progressive normalisation of relations is conditional on progress achieved in the political dialogue. As only five months have elapsed since the Union Troïka Mission, the Union has not yet evaluated the overall process.

However, from the Commission's point of view, some positive steps can be highlighted:

- the monthly dialogue meetings between the Government and the Union are taking place regularly, which allows a better exchange of views on the different commitments of the dialogue;

- the Nuba mountains ceasefire and all the measures that go with it, particularly the international monitoring system, is a first fragile step in the direction of a possible overall ceasefire and peace process;

- the agreement signed by both parties in March 2002 to protect non-combatant civilians and civilian facilities from military attacks;

- the work of the first international commission investigating alleged slavery practices and abduction and its conclusions are a very important progress in that area of the dialogue;

- finally, although not signing the final document for the Task Forces, the Government has not closed all doors in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-led Peace Process and it is hoped that the negotiations will restart mid-June 2002.