Foreign Minister Tuomioja travels to Chad, Eritrea and Libya

Press release 470/2006
19 November, 2006

Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja will visit Chad and Eritrea on 20-21 November. The purpose of the trip is to discuss the situation in the region. The EU’s aim is to use political dialogue to promote stability and the development of democracy within Chad and regionally in relation to Sudan and Darfur as well as the Central African Republic. The humanitarian and security and human rights situation in Darfur has deteriorated despite the peace agreement signed in May. The EU has repetitively asked the parties involved in the conflict to honour the agreement and international human rights as well as guarantee the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The EU particularly emphasises the need for an immediate cease-fire and an end to violence targeted at civilians. Pekka Haavisto, the EU Special Representative for Sudan, will also take part in the trip.

From Eritrea Mr. Tuomioja will continue on to Tripoli, Libya, where he will participate in the EU-Africa Ministerial Conference on 22-23 November. The topic of this conference is migration and development, and Minister of the Interior Kari Rajamäki will also take part.

Further information: For the trip to Chad and Eritrea, Second Secretary Anu Konttinen, tel. +358 (0)40 740 8965, and Claus-Jerker Lindroos, tel. +358 (0)40 731 3685, and for the Tripoli conference, Deputy Director General Anne Sipiläinen, tel. +358 (0)40 538 9514, and Counsellor Ilkka Rentola, tel. +358 (0)40 723 9731.