Dialogue between Sudan, EU extended for one more year

The European Union, of which a three-member delegation is currently visiting Khartoum, has decided to extend the dialogue with the Sudanese government for more one year with the aim to normalize relations.

The delegation which is headed by Franc Be Konin, the chairman of Africa's department at the Belgian foreign ministry ( the current president of the EU) had arrived in Khartoum to evaluate this year round of dialogue between the two sides.

The EU delegation discussed with the Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Othman Ismael before he ( the President) traveled to Doha, issues that fall in the interests of the EU debated during the second phase of negotiations between the two sides started in January 2000 and centered on the developments of peace. human rights, democracy and the ruling system.

A Sudanese official said the two sides discussed means of normalizing bilateral relations. The EU delegation expressed appreciation over the developments attained in areas tackled by the dialogue.

The EU delegation had started a round of talks with Mutarraf Sadeq, the foreign ministry secretary in Sudan to agree on points that to be covered by the dialogue in the new round of January 2001.

Through ambassadors of its member states in Sudan, the EU has been initiating a dialogue since two years on issues relating to peace and democracy in preparation to normalize relations.