Foreign Minister, Dr. Tedros Adhanom held talks on Wednesday (July 31) with the European Union's Special Representative for Sudan, Mrs. Rosalind Marsden. Discussions covered recent developments between Sudan and South Sudan including the work of the recently established Ad-hoc Investigations Mechanism (AIM).

Mrs. Marsden expressed her appreciation of Ethiopia's contributions to the peace process between Sudan and South Sudan, highlighting the recent trip to Juba and Khartoum by Dr. Tedros and former President Thabo Mbeki, head of the AU High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) as a sign of Ethiopia's proactive role in mediation efforts.

She was pleased over the recent oil extension secured by Dr. Tedros and the AUHIP following their talks with President Omar Al-Bashir, emphasizing that any stop to the flow of oil would serve to put the agreements between both sides into serious jeopardy. Mrs. Marsden also welcomed the establishment of the AIM, in coordination with the African Union Commission. Dr. Tedros briefed Mrs. Marsden on the discussions with both President Al-Bashir and President Kiir in Khartoum and Juba respectively.

He expressed his belief that the concerns of both sides would be addressed by the AIM so long as it was supported and given adequate time to complete its investigations. He said he had assured both sides that the results of an investigation from a neutral international body would carry more weight than the allegations they had been making against each other.

Dr. Tedros explained that Prime Minister Hailemariam was also in frequent contact with both President Al-Bashir and President Kiir and actively encouraged them to maintain regular communication. Dr. Tedros said he believed that the close cooperation between the EU and Ethiopia over both Sudan and South Sudan, as well as over the region at large was showing positive outcomes. He said both sides should remain committed to maintaining these close ties and to fostering greater partnership