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European Special Representative to Sudan Mr Torben Brylle briefed members of the APG.

Mr Torben Brylle took over from Mr. Pekke Haavisto (who representatives of the APG met on a number of occassions, including in Sudan this autumn) as EUSR for Sudan. As this is a retrospective article. Minutes to the meeting may or may not be added in due course.

Many issues were discussed. On Darfur, these included the loss of momentum leading up to the Tripoli talks, the importance of the convergence phase, and the increase in regional initiatives.

The news of SPLM suspension of participation in GoNU broke half way through this meeting (he is holding the note on which he received the news in the photo). Mr Brylle was confident that the action represented a technique in negotiation, rather than the precursor to war, but stressed that it did make the situation potentially volatile. Despite the recent bickering between the SPLM and the NCP over implementation of the CPA, Mr Brylle said that the move was ‘unexpected’.

Other issues dicussed included urbanisation, pastoralists/farmer relations, investment, arms sources.

The EU has been criticised for lack of concrete action over Darfur in the past, preferring to issue strongly worded written statements. Mr Brylle said that statements from European institutions are useful, do have an impact on the behaviour of the Government of Sudan, and are part of the toolbox for creating the right incentives and disincentives.

Mission statement of Torben Brylle

Darfur is on our minds and so it should be! The human tragedy is still unfolding. Darfur requires constant and full attention.

This was my fundamental assumption when I took over the position of the European Union’s Special Representative for Sudan in May 2007. To bring the EU’s considerable influence and wide range of policy instruments to bear in support of a peaceful and stable Sudan where human suffering and degradation is replaced by a perspective of dignity and development.

The people of Darfur need security, peace, respect for their rights, and a viable perspective for their lives. We, as members of the international community, should - through a collective effort - do our utmost to bring an end to the tragedy in Darfur.

The Sudanese have demonstrated that they can bring serious conflicts to an end. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the North and the South proves this - after years of war and unimaginable suffering. But agreements must be implemented to secure lasting peace. The CPA is in this respect fundamental for the future of Sudan, and we, as the international community, should not waver in our efforts to press for and support its full implementation in good faith by all parties.

The importance of Sudan for peace and stability in the region and beyond is crucial. Neighbouring countries are directly affected. Critical humanitarian and security situations prevail in regions close to Darfur. The European Union and the wider international community must respond, but also make it clear that destabilising activities across borders are not acceptable.

A Sudan in crisis is a matter for the European Union. The international community must collectively engage with those who have the responsibility and capability to bring the conflict in Darfur to an end and to secure a full implementation of the agreement between the North and the South.

As the European Union’s Special Representative for Sudan it is my mission – under the authority of the EU’s foreign policy chief, Javier Solana – to deal with the complex nexus of issues – humanitarian, political, security – spanning a wide spectrum of issues related to Sudan.