Sudanese FM briefs press on visits to USA, Italy, Yemen, Ethiopia
KHARTOUM, July 1, 2005 (SUNA) — The foreign affairs minister, Mustafa Osman Ismail, has described his visit to, among others, Italy, USA, Yemen and Ethiopia, as a new chapter regarding Sudan’s foreign relations which have developed because of the peaceful atmosphere in the country.
He said that his visit to the USA was considered to be one of the most important visits ever as it will help develop the relations between the two countries.
Speaking to Suna upon arrival early this morning, he said that his visit was within the framework of the ministry’s plan to work towards developing bilateral relations and explaining the latest developments in Sudan to international and regional organizations as well as discussing investment opportunities in Sudan and to try and get financial aid which Sudan requires in the post-war period.
Regarding his visit to Italy, he said that he was responding to an invitation by his Italian counterpart, Gianfranco Fini. He said that they discussed bilateral ties, Sudan’s debt to Italy and Italy’s role in reconstructing Sudan.
Regarding his visit to USA, the foreign minister told SUNA that he held talks with the US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, the US deputy secretary of state, Robert Zoellick, as well as, members of the US State Department. He also met with a number of US congressmen.
The minister pointed out that his meetings with the US officials dealt with the latest peace developments in the country and the problem in Darfur as well as Eritrea’s violations in the east of the country and bilateral relations.
He went on to say that they signed an agreement that the USA would be attending the 9 July celebrations — marking the formation of a government of national unity — when the constitution will be signed and the president and his deputies sworn in, to mark the beginning of the transitional period.
He said that USA would be participating with a high level delegation headed by the US deputy secretary of state, Robert Zoellick.
Regarding the situation in Darfur, he said that the US authorities would cooperate with the African Union and Sudanese government to find a solution so that life would returns to normal in Darfur.
Regarding the situation in eastern Sudan he said that the US authorities had sent a letter through its envoy in Eritrea telling the Eritrean authorities to stop negatively interfering in Sudan’s peace.
Regarding his visit to Yemen, he said that it was aimed at participating in the 32 Islamic Organization Conference for foreign ministers. He said that he briefed the participants on the latest developments in the country as well as Eritrea’s violations in the east. He also briefed them on the economic situation in the country.
On his way back to Khartoum, the foreign affairs minister said that yesterday he stopped over in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, where he conveyed President Omar al-Bashir’s message to the Ethiopian prime minister, Meles Zenawi. He also held talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Seyoum Mesfin, he said that they discussed bilateral ties and that they decided that the higher committee headed by the presidents of the two countries Omar al-Bashir and Meles Zenawi should meet in the third week of July in Khartoum.
They also discussed the situation on the Sudanese, Ethiopian border as well as the violations by Eritrea by supporting the rebels in the east of Sudan. They also discussed the situation in Somalia and at the end of his visit they held a joint-media conference where they answered questions from journalists.