We very much welcome the agreement reached during the night between the military council and the opposition in the Sudan. It gives the people of the Sudan hope for peace and democracy. My particular gratitude goes to the mediators from the African Union and Ethiopia whose endeavours made this deal possible. This political agreement opens the way for stable, peaceful democracy and for economic recovery. It will certainly not be an easy path. Germany, along with its international partners, will do its utmost to support the civilian-led transitional government in the Sudan as it embarks upon this course.