Top Finnish diplomat to visit Sudan on behalf of EU

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Finland's Foreign Minister will visit Sudan on Thursday on behalf of the EU to discuss the country's situation.

According to a statement on Tuesday from the office of EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, Pekka Haavisto will also visit Ethiopia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The visit came after an agreement was reached on a civilian-led transition in Sudan earlier this month between the Transitional Military Council and the Forces for Freedom and Change.

"The European Union remains fully engaged on the situation in Sudan, standing by the Sudanese parties who reached an agreement as well as calling on regional and international actors to play a constructive role in this context," Mogherini said in a statement.

Haavisto said he would convey the EU's strong messages of support and encourage both sides to continue negotiations to resolve outstanding issues.

"It is crucial to quickly restore peace, guarantee prosperity, economic recovery, security, democracy and respect of human rights," he added.

Sudan has remained in turmoil since April 11, when the military establishment announced the "removal" of President Omar al-Bashir after months of popular protests against his 30-year rule.