The Sudanese Government has signed a ceasefire agreement with a further rebel movement. The Spokesperson of the Federal Foreign Office welcomed the agreement and called for its rapid implementation so that the humanitarian situation can be improved for the people in Darfur.
Read more: Ceasefire agreement in Darfur
Bernd Mützelburg, Germany’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, is currently on a trip to Kabul and Islamabad. In Kabul he held talks with government officials and representatives of civil society organizations and reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to long-term support for Afghanistan’s stability and reconstruction agenda.
Read more: Mützelburg holds talks in Afghanistan and Pakistan
The Leipzig Book Fair runs from 18 to 21 March. In contrast to its counterpart in Frankfurt, this is an event for the public and for the entire city. It focuses on neighbouring countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The Federal Foreign Office is present at the Fair, where it showcases its work in the cultural and education spheres.
Read more: Leipzig Book Fair – Europe & more
During his visit to Berlin, OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut met Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and State Secretary Wolf-Ruthart Born. The talks focused on strengthening common security in Europe, and particularly on the further development of the Corfu Process initiated by the OSCE.
Read more: Strengthening European security: OSCE Secretary General in Berlin
Federal Minister Westerwelle and Lebanon's Prime Minister Hariri agreed that the Middle East peace process must be set in motion again as quickly as possible. Westerwelle emphasized that everything had to be done to ensure that the parties to the conflict engage in indirect peace talks.
Read more: Middle East peace process must be set in motion
The Federal Foreign Office has made available a further 1.6 million euro to fund emergency aid for refugees and internally displaced persons in the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The money will help fund projects run by the German non-governmental organizations.
Read more: Aid for Congolese refugees
