Declaration of the Presidency on behalf of the European Union
on the third anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive
Peace Agreement for Sudan on 9 January 2005
On the occasion of the third anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Peace
Agreement (CPA) the European Union wishes to express its recognition of this important
instrument.
The CPA stands out as a historic achievement of the people of Sudan. It brought more than
two decades of civil war to an end. With its provisions for a peaceful and democratic
transformation it marks the way forward for the whole of Sudan.
The European Union is convinced that the partners in the Government of National Unity
are capable of demonstrating leadership by peacefully turning challenges and obstacles
into opportunities and of reinforcing the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace
Agreement in a spirit of mutual trust, respect and commitment.
The European Union encourages the National Congress Party and the Sudanese
People's Liberation Movement to work together to achieve the objectives of the CPA
keeping in mind that the achievement of a peaceful, democratic, prosperous and united
Sudan - in which all people can live together in freedom, without discrimination and with
full respect for their rights - goes beyond the relations between the North and the South of
Sudan.
The European Union attaches great importance to the Assessment and Evaluation
Commission (AEC), as the main vehicle for monitoring and promoting CPA
implementation. The AEC is an important mechanism for dialogue between the parties and
some of the key international partners to the CPA. The European Union would like to
underline its commitment to further strengthen the role of the AEC in ensuring full
implementation of the CPA.
Progress in the implementation of the Eastern Peace Agreement remains important and
efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Darfur must be reinforced.
Indeed, with regard to Darfur, all responsible parties must commit themselves to respect an
immediate cessation of hostilities and to engage in a renewed serious engagement in
political negotiations. The role of UNAMID is essential and all efforts are needed to fully
deploy this mission. Full and secure humanitarian access has to be respected in order to
meet the needs of the people of Darfur.
The Comprehensive Peace Agreement embodies the perspective of a peaceful, stable and
prosperous Sudan, fundamental for the country as a whole - and for the wider region. The
European Union expects the parties to live up to their mutual obligations as expressed in
the CPA.
The European Union will remain a committed partner in support of the implementation of
the Comprehensive Peace Agreement 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, Armenia, Azerbaijan 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.