The European Union is closely following the Darfur peace talks in Abuja, the seventh
round of which began at the end of November. The EU Special Representative for Sudan,
Pekka Haavisto, has visited the talks twice during this round, and several member states
are represented there. The EU welcomes the progress that has been made in the wealthsharing
commission since the beginning of the round. But it is gravely concerned at the
lack of progress on the other two tracks (power-sharing and security arrangements) in the
first two and a half weeks. This appeared to be due to a lack of willingness of the
negotiators of the SLM/A and JEM in particular genuinely to engage on these issues. It
welcomes the resumption of dialogue between the parties in the power-sharing commission
on 19 December, and hopes that this will be the start of real progress. It urges all the
parties to show their commitment to peace in Darfur by negotiating positively and flexibly,
with a view to reaching a rapid settlement. The EU reiterates its full support to the African
Union-led mediation team and commends it for its tireless efforts in these talks.

The EU is also deeply concerned by the continuing violations of the ceasefire agreements
in Darfur. It calls on all sides to stop such attacks immediately and to refrain from any
action that might aggravate the situation in Darfur and in Chad. These continuing cease fire
violations make progress in negotiations on security arrangements at Abuja, and in
particular the signature of a new, enhanced cease fire, especially urgent.

The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia*
and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and
Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and
Montenegro, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the
European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align
themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the
Stabilisation and Association Process.

Ref: 16058/1/05 REV 1 (Presse 371)