Visiting EU delegation announces provision of over 460 million Euros in grant for Sudan
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - A visiting high level European Union (EU) Wednesday announced the provision of 466 million Euros to Sudan to help overcome challenges facing its transitional period, official sources said here Wednesday.
The EU sent a high-level delegation led by the head of external relations to discuss arrangements for the transitional period in the Sudan.
The delegation met with the minister of foreign affairs, Asma Mohamed Abdalla, and Prime Minister Dr Abdalla Hamdouk, who briefed them on the priorities of the transitional government, which include realizing peace, reforming the economy and providing basic services.
The government officials stressed that these priorities required a strong support from the international community.
This include lifting the financial and transaction restrictions imposed on Sudan as a result of placing Khartoum within the list of countries US considered sponsors of international terrorism, hence the strong need for the EU support.
The EU delegation led by Jean-Christophe Belliard, deputy secretary general of External Action Service, told the minister of foreign affairs that the Union was providing grants to Sudan amounting to 200 million Euros.
He said these would be followed by 141 million Euros, as well as 100 million Euros and 25 million Euros in the form of humanitarian aid, totalling 466 million Euros.
The head of the EU delegation was quoted by the state media as saying that, following the meeting Wednesday, they arrived in the Sudan to study the country’s needs.
He said the EU would coordinate with the concerned European and western authorities on how to extend further support for development projects in the country.
The delegation was also quoted as promising to coordinate with international financial institutions to support Sudan meet urgent needs and to support the country’s economy.
It however said the Sudan had to continue doing its level best to reintegrate into the international community and to help in removing delisting the country from the US group of terror sponsoring states.
The EU further promised to help the Sudan normalize relations with international financial and economic institutions.
The European Union delegation has meanwhile described as historic the political developments in the Sudan, stating that the Sudanese people’s peaceful revolution had become a source of inspiration to other peoples in the region.
Te EU countries will therefore support the civilian government to identify its current and future needs.
-0- PANA MO/RA 30Oct2019
