Commissioner Michel to participate in Pledging Conference for AU Mission in Sudan/Darfur

The European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, will participate on Thursday 26 May in the Pledging Conference to support the African Union's peacekeeping mission in the Darfur (AMIS). The AMIS mission in the Darfur is the first peace keeping operation carried out by the African Union (AU). And it is also a test case for the AU-EU partnership. The European Commission has disbursed €30M through its Peace Facility for Africa to support AMIS and €60M are still available to support its expansion until October.

One of the main goals of AMIS is to restore security in order to put an end to violence and atrocities against civilians as well as to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid, which remains vital for 3 million of people. Up to now, the European Commission has been one the leading humanitarian donors, contributing to the humanitarian effort with more than €200M, delivered through NGOs, the Red cross and several UN agencies.

On the request by the African Union, the EU has recently agreed to offer a consolidated support package both for the military and police aspects of the AMIS II mission, in particular in the area of planning, logistics, equipment, strategic and tactical air transport, strengthening of the AU's observation capacities and training.

The EU will be represented by Commissioner Michel and the High Representative of the EU, Javier Solana. This Pledging Conference is co-chaired by the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairman of the Commission of the African Union.

Africa Day 2005

Commissioner Michel congratulated today the African Union on the 42nd anniversary of the establishment of the Organization of the African Union, succeeded three years ago by the African Union. Louis Michel reiterated the European Commission's engagement to support the AU and its efforts to expand its capacities and promote peace, stability, good governance, prosperity and regional integration.

"I am happy that the meetings the European and the African Commissions take place in a very regular basis and that a common agenda has been set. This goes well beyond peace and security and builds on the close relationship and the many similarities of our institutions", said Commissioner Michel.

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• HR de l'UE Solana s'entretient avec le président Konaré (13/1/2006)
• EU Presidency Statement on Darfur  (21/12/2005)
• EU Commission earmarks €2m to tackle yellow fever in Sudan (22/11/2005)
• La Commission européenne condamne vigoureusement l'escalade de violence au Darfour (30/9/2005)
• EU Commission allocates €15 million to Darfur victims  (9/9/2005)
• EUHR Solana deplores death of Sudanese Vice-President Garang (1/8/2005)
• GAERC Conclusions on EU civilian-military supporting action to AU mission in Darfur  (18/7/2005)
• Commission allocates €12 million to Darfur victims who have fled to Chad  (3/6/2005)
• Consolidated EU package in support of AMIS II (26/5/2005)
• Intervention de Solana, Secrétaire Général du Conseil de l'UE, Haut Représentant pour la PESC - Addis Abeba (26/5/2005)
• Resumption of cooperation with Sudan linked to evolution of situation of Dafur (11/4/2005)
• EU Presidency declaration on Darfur (Sudan) (7/2/2005)
• EC strongly condemns recent violence in Darfur (Sudan) (28/1/2005)