Sudan expects France to help relieve debt

KHARTOUM, July 29, 2005 (Xinhua) — Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Ismail expressed hope on Friday that France will play an important role in relieving Sudan’s debt through the Paris Club, the official SUNA news agency reported.

As for French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy’s arrival earlier in the day, Ismail said bilateral ties are improving and the two countries have had cooperation in economic, commercial and political areas.

He said the Sudanese government is working for the growth of bilateral ties, especially after the signing of a peace agreement between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

Several French companies are working in Sudan in the fields of oil, gold exploration and other projects.

The French foreign minister arrived here Friday morning for talks with Sudanese officials on bilateral ties and cooperation.

He said upon his arrival that he will pay a visit to Niyala state in southern Darfur to see the situation, in addition to a visit to the refugee camp of Kalma to follow up humanitarian relief operations there.

The Sudanese government and the SPLM reached a comprehensive peace deal in January, ending a 21-year-long civil war.

Sudan’s arid and impoverished western region of Darfur has been in the grip of civil war for more than two years. Many people have since been killed and more others driven from their homes.

On July 5, the Sudanese government and two Darfur rebel groups signed a peace deal, the Declaration of Principles, as a basis for seeking a peaceful solution to the conflict.