Secretary Clinton met this afternoon with Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Karti to discuss the future of U.S.–Sudan cooperation following the Southern Sudan referendum. The Secretary congratulated Sudan on the successful completion of a peaceful, orderly vote and reaffirmed U.S. willingness to take steps toward normalization of relations, as Sudan meets its commitments under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), including negotiating post-referendum arrangements and committing to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Darfur. The two agreed that much work remains as the CPA parties finalize in the coming months the arrangements that will define their future relationship. Both pledged their continued cooperation to ensure a peaceful and more prosperous future for all Sudanese.
