France welcomes talks between Sudanese parties

France said on Thursday that it was encouraged by the meeting Wednesday in Khartoum by the leaders of Sudan and South Sudan, with a view to resolving the differences between the two nations. "The meeting, which was held in Khartoum between the presidents of Sudan and South Sudan, is an encouraging signal," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. France has urged both sides to enter negotiations to bring an end to lingering border, territorial and oil issues after South Sudan got independence two years ago from Khartoum. "Indeed, only dialogue between the two countries is the way to return to peace and stability in the region," Paris said. The two parts of Sudan have been locked in civil wars costing several million lives since independence from Britain in the late 1950s. Since South Sudan opted for full independence, there have been regular skirmishes and incursions on the border with its northern neighbour and oil production from the south that is transported via the north has been frequently disrupted. France also praised the mediation carried out by the African Union and by Ethiopia in getting the protagonists back to the table.