The European Union expresses its grave
concern at the conditions imposed by the SPLM/SRRA on NGOs working in southern
Sudan which have led to the withdrawal of many of those organisations.
The European Union, one of the largest
donors of humanitarian aid to the areas controlled by the SPLM/SRRA, is
particularly worried by the consequences of this situation, which will
threaten the lives of thousands of people already in danger through the
civil war in the country. It is also concerned at the greater risks
for the safety and equipment of humanitarian staff.
The European Union urges the SPLM/SRRA to resume negotiations with the NGOs as soon as possible with the objective of creating conditions that will allow all NGOs to carry out humanitarian operations unhindered and in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, and the EFTA countries, members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this declaration.