Government of Southern Sudan
Liaison Office - Brussels

  You are in: Home > News and Releases > News Article Monday, February 06 2012

Dutch Delegation arrive for discussions on CPA progress
Wed, February 6 2008
By Nyibol Deng [Juba, Sudan]

The Ministry of Regional Cooperation was glad to receive the Netherlands delegation and students to Juba, Southern Sudan for a one day official visit on Tuesday 5th February. The large delegation comprised of the Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E Maxime Verhagen and H.E Bert Koenders the Minister for Development Cooperation as well as Netherland students and Media. Upon arrival they were welcomed by H.E Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin the Minister for Regional Cooperation and the Undersecretary Dr. Cirino Hiteng Ofuho, before heading straight into a meeting with the First Vice of the Republic of Sudan and President of the Government of Southern Sudan H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit at the presidency. During the meeting they discussed their operations in the area of development and the atmosphere right now regarding the CPA’s progress and implementation.

H.E Maxime Verhagen stated “…we had a good meeting on bilateral relations, central affairs and looked into the CPA and the problems occurring in relation to the CPA…” also mentioning the topic of Darfur (in terms of the necessities of deployment), the preparations for the elections and census were discussed within the meeting.

During a press conference H.E Mert Koenders revealed that there were two key areas in which the Dutch Development Cooperation can assist in the implementation, first they are long standing partners with Sudan and also Southern Sudan in support of reconstruction and development. They expressed they would like to continue in both the emergency side as well as reconstruction, believing that there is a big gap in which they feel they can assist the Sudanese Government. Secondly the risks of production were discussed and mutually agreed upon that there is a need for both sides to have a policy on zero tolerance so that the people can really feel the peace dividend.

Mr. Koenders also acknowledged that more programs will have to go out to the districts as more people will be returning back from the North to find their place in the

South, so they have to take the opportunity to make sure the programs are reaching the people. They also confirmed that the Dutch will continue their support financially in making possible the negotiations that are taking place in Juba , such as the talks of the LRA and the issue of the rebel forces.

Lastly he also revealed that they will be offering their technical expertise on the issue of Abyei which is one of the important issues that need to be resolved in regards to the CPA.

Once the press conference was concluded, accompanied by H.E Dr. Barnaba and the Undersecretary Dr. Cirino, the delegation with the students and press walked towards the late Dr. John Garang De Mabiors memorial site where they paid their respects and signed the condolences book for visitors.

 

 

[ Back to news ]