Opening statement by Mr. Michael Spindelegger at the Vienna Conference on Sudan and South Sudan on 10 October 2012
Opening statement by Mr. Michael Spindelegger, Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria, delivered in the presence of Mr. Ahmed Karti, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Sudan and Mr. Elias Nyamlell, State Minister for International Cooperation of the Republic of South Sudan at the Vienna Conference on Sudan and South Sudan on 10 October 2012
Dear colleagues and friends,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today’s conference takes place at a moment of hope. Things took a significant turn about three weeks ago. The signing of a series of agreements between Sudan and South Sudan in Addis Ababa on 27 September represents a historic step for both countries. I congratulate both Governments on the leadership and spirit of compromise they have shown in reaching these agreements. It is now essential for both sides to implement the agreements without delay. It is particularly important that oil start flowing and that cross-border trade resume as this will benefit both economies and improve the lives of ordinary people. The agreement on security arrangements will also contribute to stabilising the border area. As the EU’s High Representative, Catherine Ashton, has said, the EU stands ready to support the implementation of the signed agreements.
Since today’s conference also has an important economic dimension, we need to bear in mind that trade and investments require security. The economy is the driving factor for growth and prosperity. This is why the news about the agreements reached in Addis on 27 September is also important in economic terms, not just politically.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
You sometimes hear politicians hold speeches saying: “Much still needs to be done”. This also holds true for the relationship between Sudan and South Sudan. There are still some outstanding issues to be resolved. Resolving the final status of Abyei is a critical part of the AU Roadmap and UN Security Council Resolution 2046 (2012), on the situation in Sudan and South Sudan, adopted on 2 June 2012.
In my statement to the press on the aftermath of the signing of these agreements in Addis Ababa I have expressed my gratefulness to President Mbeki for his tireless efforts.
The international community is looking forward to the recommendations by the AU High Level Implementation Panel to the African Union for taking this matter forward. We all hope that a process will also be agreed as soon as possible for addressing the disputed and claimed border areas.
One thing, however, is clear: The signing of the Addis agreements has been a milestone. The dominating factor now, when it comes to Sudan’s and South Sudan’s future, is hope: Hope for lasting peace, hope for stability, prosperity and development. I think the motto of today’s conference has been very well chosen: Peace and Development.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have said that much remains to be done. I remain gravely concerned about the on-going conflict in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states and the resulting humanitarian situation. The fighting has caused human suffering on a massive scale. It is imperative that international humanitarian agencies be allowed to deliver immediate assistance to civilians caught up in the fighting. Direct talks between the parties concerned should start immediately and unconditionally with the aim to agree on a cessation of hostilities, to recommit to the delivery of humanitarian assistance to all those affected, and to find a lasting political solution to the conflict in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2046.
Sudan and South Sudan are multi-ethnic countries. The diversity of their respective peoples might at first sight appear as a burden but can in reality be considered as an asset. Look at Europe, look at the European Union. Diversity is not an unknown phenomenon to us. The driving force behind the building-up of the European Union has been the will for peace. A will which all European peoples share and which has been the basis for development and prosperity for many decades up till now.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
You will have realised that I have mentioned the United Nations and the European Union several times in my remarks. It comes as no surprise and it is not a coincidence.
You all know that Austria is particularly attached to a functioning multilateral system based on the Rule of Law. This is a factor that has shaped our thinking in international politics, not only regarding Sudan but also globally. Vienna is home to several international bodies, among them agencies of the United Nations. International treaties on diplomatic and consular relations include the name of this city. I would like to particularly highlight the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations dating back to 1961.
Recent attacks on diplomatic personnel and diplomatic premises in places such as Benghazi, Cairo, Tunis, Sana’a but also Khartoum have underlined the importance of respecting international obligations based on this treaty. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations is very clear about a country's obligations to adequately protect diplomatic personnel and diplomatic premises. The full respect of this treaty is an unconditional basis for diplomatic relations in a modern world.
I would once again like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the victims of these attacks. I would also pay tribute to the four UN troops killed in Darfur last week. I would like to make clear that we will never be one the side of those who commit violence, who condone violence nor those who encourage violence.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Before concluding my remarks let me say a word about civilian victims of conflict, another issue close to our hearts and minds. For many years Austria's engagement with this issue in multilateral fora has been marked by our commitment to create appropriate frameworks for those who need to be protected from violence. On 11 November 2009 under my chairmanship, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1894 (2009) on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear colleagues and friends,
Respecting international obligations is no easy task. In particular, cooperation with international judicial bodies has been and is set to remain a challenge for every country. Austria has adopted a very clear and principled position when it comes to supporting the work of the International Criminal Court. We consider this as a very important element of our overall commitment to the Rule of Law. Europe’s position in this respect is based on lessons of its own history.
With this in mind let me come back to the topic of today’s event, Peace and Development. Dear friends from Sudan and South Sudan, some of the tasks ahead of you will not be easy to deal with. But what matters in politics is not to do the easy thing. What matters is to do the right thing. I can reassure you: You are not alone. You can enjoy the support of the international community if your will for peace is a genuine one. This is what the EU Foreign Ministers clearly stated in the Council conclusions of 23 July this year: Namely that full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2046, including the outstanding issues, would lead to improved relations with the EU, allowing the EU to consider further support.
Dear friends,
We are ready to help. Today’s conference is an expression of our readiness to help. I wish you all a successful conference. Thank you very much.
