Spindelegger welcomes UN Security Council's resolution on Sudan and South Sudan / Unmistakable call on the two states to return to the negotiating table

VIENNA, Austria, May 4, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Austrian Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger welcomed the resolution adopted by the UN Security Council in New York on Sudan and South Sudan yesterday. “The international community is sending a clear message with its call for the two countries to return to the negotiating table within two weeks. The unanimous adoption of the resolution is a flat refusal of the concept of solving a problem by waging war”, the Foreign Minister said.

Spindelegger appreciated the key role of the African Union (AU) in the realisation of the resolution adopted yesterday. “The unwavering commitment of the AU and its chief mediator Thabo Mbeki is decisive in this phase. The European Union must support these peace efforts of our African partners to the best of its abilities and use its influence in Khartoum and Juba to this end”, the Foreign Minister said. He has been in regular contact with politicians of both Sudans since Austria's membership in the UN Security Council in 2009 and 2010.

Spindelegger recalled the responsibility of the governments of Sudan and South Sudan for the civilian population of both countries, in particular in those areas where military conflicts have raged over the past few weeks. “The humanitarian situation in the combat areas requires free access of aid organisations to the suffering people”, Austria's foreign minister said. Under his chairmanship, the UN Security Council adopted a path-breaking resolution on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts in 2009.