ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has welcomed the progress being made in the implementation of the September 2012 cooperation agreement between Sudan and South Sudan, concluded under the auspices of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP).
The two neighboring countries on Wednesday wrapped up a two-day extraordinary meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission, has welcomed the recent progress made in the implementation of the September 2012 Cooperation Agreement between Sudan and South Sudan, said an AU statement on Thursday.
Dlamini-Zuma noted with satisfaction the successful conclusion of the extraordinary meeting of the Joint Political and Security Mechanism (JPSM) held in Addis Ababa, from Oct. 13 to 14, under the auspices of the AUHIP.
"In the decisions signed at the end of the meeting, the parties notably accepted the Map and the Centerline proposed by the AUHIP to facilitate the establishment of the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone (SDBZ)," said the statement.
The parties also agreed on a number of steps to improve the working methods of the JPSM sub-committees, to ensure that all other outstanding issues are effectively addressed, it said.
The Chairperson of the AU Commission commended the Governments of Sudan and South Sudan for their renewed commitment to the full implementation of the September 2012 Cooperation Agreement.
She also expressed appreciation to the AUHIP for its tireless efforts towards assisting the two countries in their quest for peace.
The successful convening of the extraordinary session of the JPSM followed the holding in Addis Ababa, from Oct. 6 to 8 of the 4th meeting of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) between Sudan and South Sudan, under the facilitation of the AU Border Program (AUBP).
The JBC meeting concluded successfully, with the parties agreeing on specific steps to expedite the demarcation of their common border, in particular the preparation of a demarcation plan, including a budget for the entire exercise, and the acceleration of the opening of an Escrow Account for the funding of this process, said the statement.
"The decisions reached by the JPSM and the resolutions of the JBC lay a solid foundation towards achieving sustainable peace between the two countries," said the statement.
The Chairperson reaffirmed AU's unwavering support to the two countries in their efforts to build two viable states living side by side in peace and cooperating on all issues of mutual interest.
