Request from the UN to MP Pekka Haavisto for assistance in launching negotiations on Darfur
The United Nations has asked Member of Parliament Pekka Haavisto, formerly the European Union Special Representative for Sudan, for assistance in reopening the Darfur peace negotiations. The UN and the African Union have prepared a road map to peace in Darfur, and the aim is to begin new negotiations already in July–August 2007.
Pekka Haavisto will visit the Darfur crisis area with a UN delegation from 30 May to 11 June. He will meet with the leadership of Sudan and different combat groups in Darfur, and will visit Chad and Eritrea, Sudan’s neighbouring countries. The various parties’ willingness to negotiate will be determined during the trip.
On the basis of the results of Haavisto’s trip, the UN and the African Union will take decisions concerning the next steps in the Darfur peace process.
Additional information: First Secretary Claus-Jerker Lindroos, Unit for Eastern and Western Africa, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 6292, mobile tel. +358 40 731 3685; and Pekka Haavisto, Member of Parliament, mobile tel. +358 50 512 1829.
Press release 107/2007
29 May, 2007
Formin.Finland