Summary: 9 August 2007, Brussels - The European Union welcomes the outcome of the Arusha meeting, which assembled leading personalities from movements involved in the Darfur conflict which are not signatories to the peace agreement. Securing agreement on a common position among these movements is a crucial step forward and an essential building block for final talks to take place 2-3 months from now.
The European Union commends the AU/UN leadership for achieving an outcome that further boosts the prospects for peace in Darfur. The countries in the region also played a pivotal role in making progress on this difficult question.
The EU further emphasises the importance of an inclusive political process that takes into account the concerns of the people of Darfur - internally displaced persons, refugees, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, including women's groups etc. Only by engaging those most directly affected by this crisis and by genuinely taking their priorities into account can a truly sustainable peace be achieved.
The EU strongly underlines and recalls the need for full and unconditional cessation of hostilities as well as for immediate implementation of the cease fire which must be respected by all parties. Furthermore, unhindered access for humanitarian organisations remains a basic demand of the international community as a whole.
The European Union calls on the government of Sudan and all the rebel movements to fully engage in the AU/UN-led political process.
The European Union will support consideration of measures against any party that obstructs the AU/UN-led political process, notably in the UN framework.
With the unanimous approval in the United Nations Security Council of resolution 1769(2007) the agreement on a UN/AU-hybrid operation in Darfur provides further political impetus to the current positive momentum. The EU stands ready to consider ways to support this operation and to advance the realisation of its promise of peace in Darfur, and appeals to all interested parties to clearly and unequivocally demonstrate their commitment to this end.
Finally, the EU is ready to focus substantial attention upon the recovery and development of Darfur and Sudan as a whole. The outcome of the Arusha meeting brings closer the day when the people of Darfur and the region can, hopefully, enjoy the benefits of economic and social development concentrated on the needs of the entire population.
"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, Armenia, and Georgia align themselves with this declaration.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process."
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