European Union foreign ministers were expected to back Washington's get-tough approach on Darfur at a meeting Saturday, dangling the threat of UN sanctions over Sudan's government if it does not move to end the fighting in the region.
The EU ministers were to discuss a United Nations report that has called on Sudan's government to accept a much larger international monitoring force in Darfur.
The ministers were also discussing the Balkans, relations with Africa and Turkey's EU membership bid during a second day of talks hosted by Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot at a country resort.
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said it was important for the EU nations to maintain pressure on the government of Sudan to ease the plight of the victims of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.
"We must do all we can here and not hesitate," Fischer said. He said the international community must also pursue the prosecution of those responsible for the acts of horror committed against refugees. "We must keep up the pressure," he said.
Bot, whose country holds the EU presidency, said Sudan was not doing enough.
"The situation continues to give rise to concern," Bot said.
Arab militias called Janjaweed are blamed for violence that has killed some 30,000 people and forced over 1.2 million to flee their homes in Darfur, creating what the United Nations has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
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