Secretary-General Welcomes Announcement by Sudan, South Sudan to Resume Talks

Next Week in Addis Ababa under Auspices of African Union

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement of the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan to resume talks in Addis Ababa next week under the auspices of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel.

The Secretary-General encourages the parties to reconvene in an atmosphere of goodwill and calls on them to demonstrate the flexibility necessary to reach agreement on outstanding issues in accordance with the guidance and deadlines set by the African Union Peace and Security Council and the United Nations Security Council.

The Secretary-General reiterates the readiness of the United Nations to assist the parties in implementing their agreements and support the mechanisms established by them.  He stresses the necessity of commencing the work of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism for peace and security along the border and confirms UNISFA [United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei]’s readiness to immediately support its operations.

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For information media • not an official record