Brussels, Belgium - The Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Karti, on a working visit to Belgium, was received Tuesday in Brussels, the capital, by the High Representative of the European Union for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (PESC), Catherina Ashton, with whom he discussed the tense political situation in the border area between northern Sudan and southern Sudan. Ashton, will Saturday, go to Juba (South Sudan), accompanied by a large delegation from the EU to attend the ceremonies of the proclamation of the independence of South Sudan. The High Representative of the EU expressed her 'deep concern' about the situation in South Kordofan, a province of northern Sudan bordering southern Sudan.

According to official reports from the region, fighting continues to rage between the Sudanese army and the 'Nuba,' militia, owners of the territory of Southern Sudan.

The negotiations for the demarcation of the border between Sudan and the new state of Southern Sudan are blocked because the new authorities in Juba has refused to pay the fee required by Khartoum for the use of pipelines and port for the evacuation of oil whose deposits are located in South Sudan.

The situation is such that Ashton has asked for the maintenance of UN peacekeepers in the two states after the proclamation of the independence of South Sudan.

According to observers, the tension is such that the proclamation of independence of South Sudan, scheduled for next Saturday, could be postponed.

Pana 07/07/2011