EU congratulates South Sudan on second anniversary

EU High Representative Catherine Ashton Tuesday congratulated the people of the Republic of South Sudan on the occasion of the second anniversary of their independence. \"The EU recognises the enormous challenges which South Sudan has faced since its independence and commends the people of South Sudan for their resilience and determination in seeking to overcome them,\" said her spokesman, Michal Mann, in a statement. Ashton encourages the government to demonstrate its commitment to national reconciliation, democratic and transparent governance and respect for human rights, it noted. \"The High Representative trusts that the Government of the Republic of South Sudan will do its utmost to settle its outstanding differences with the Republic of Sudan in order to establish mutually beneficial relations for the benefit of both countries,\" added the statement.