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Foreign Minister Westerwelle congratulates South Sudan on independence
Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle today (9 July) welcomed the independence of the Republic of South Sudan. Germany established diplomatic relations with the new country on the very first day of its independence. Federal Minister Westerwelle issued the following statement on that occasion:
“I congratulate the people of South Sudan and President Salva Kiir on their country’s independence and welcome the Republic of South Sudan as the newest member of the community of nations.
The people of South Sudan have high hopes of their new state. They aspire to freedom, peace and development. These hopes must not be disappointed; the priority now is to build a stable and functioning state as soon as possible.
We Germans will support the Republic of South Sudan as best we can in this endeavour. Germany recognizes the Republic of South Sudan and officially takes up diplomatic relations with the country as of today.
Moreover, the Federal Government commends the Government in Khartoum and the people of North Sudan for helping shape the peaceful transition and for recognizing South Sudan’s independence.
Germany endorses the efforts made towards establishing peaceful and good-neighbourly relations between the two Sudanese states, for this is in the interest of people both in the North and the South.”
Federal Minister Westerwelle visited the Sudan just a few days ago and on that occasion called upon the North and the South to complete the separation peacefully and to find solutions for all outstanding questions. On 13 July the Minister will chair the UN Security Council session which will discuss the admission of the Republic of South Sudan as the 193rd member state of the United Nations.