Yesterday, Minister for Development Cooperation Bert Koenders and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Verhagen spoke at length with the First Vice President of Sudan, Salva Kiir. Mr Kiir is also the president of Southern Sudan. He is currently travelling through Europe to call attention to the problems surrounding the peace process between Northern and Southern Sudan.

‘In our conversation,’ said Mr Koenders, ‘Mr Kiir stressed the importance of a clear border between Northern and Southern Sudan. This is essential for the referendum on independence for Southern Sudan, to be held in March 2011.’ Other issues discussed in depth include the humanitarian situation in Darfur and the value of development cooperation. ‘Mr Kiir requested an extra contribution from the Netherlands. As the humanitarian situation in Darfur remains dire, I promised an additional contribution for emergency aid.’

In Mr Kiir’s talks with Mr Verhagen, the latter emphasised the Netherlands’ commitment to Sudan, but he also called upon the Sudanese government to shoulder its own responsibility.

‘Both our countries have a contribution to make to implementing the agreements set down in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005,’ said Mr Verhagen. ‘In concrete terms, this means that you need to do even more to fight corruption, hold free and fair elections and improve the security situation in your country.’



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