IGAD, EU Held Ministerial Meeting in Khartoum

he Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the European Union (EU) on Friday held a ministerial meeting in Khartoum, Sudan.

European Commission and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HRVP), Josep Borrell Fontelles, and Ministers of IGAD Member States on the occasion noted the historic transitions in Sudan and Ethiopia, as well as the rapprochement with Eritrea.

They also indicated that new initiatives on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden offer unparalleled opportunities for economic integration and conflict resolution.

All sides welcomed the formation of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RT-GoNU) in South Sudan and reiterated their support for the peace process and the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

The EU and IGAD also expressed support for the reform agenda of Somalia and underlined the need for the speedy implementation of the political, security and economic reforms needed ahead of next year’s elections

All sides emphasized their desire to consolidate regular dialogue between the EU and IGAD Member States, while IGAD Ministers expressed their appreciation for the EU’s constructive role in the region.

The EU underlined its readiness to help IGAD Member States to combat the dramatic desert locust invasion in the Horn of Africa with a contribution of 11 Million Euros.

source ena