The foreign ministers from all the European Union (EU) member states asked on Monday the Security Council of the United Nations (UN) to impose sanctions against Sudan over its failure to take action to end conflicts in Darfur region.  

A meeting conclusion, issued Monday after the foreign ministers' meeting, urged the UN Security Council to pass a resolution with a view to taking further actions, "including imposing sanctions, in case the Government of Sudan does not immediately fulfill its obligations and commitments."

"The (EU) Council remains extremely concerned at the situation in Darfur and calls upon Sudan and the rebel movements to meet the demands set out in the Council's conclusions of 12 July," said Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot at a press conference after the meeting.

Despite humanitarian access to Darfur has improved partially, the EU ministers expressed dissatisfaction about the implementation of the other most urgent obligations the Sudan government should carry out.

The document also said there is no indication that the security situation for civilians in the Darfur has improved.

"Progress will be monitored closely," said Bot.

Since the Darfur conflicts broke out in February last year, the EU has been actively involved in it.

The EU has so far provided a total of 213 million euros (about US$257 million) in humanitarian aid to the region and it has also made available 12 million euros (about US$14 million) for the African Union Observer mission in Darfur.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana recently paid a visit to Sudan and Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismail visited Brussels and the Hague last week. Both sides failed to agree on an immediate settlement of the Darfur crisis.

(Xinhua News Agency July 27, 2004)