Sudan FM starts two-day visit to Russia

May 16, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lam Akol, Tuesday left for Moscow on a two-day visit to Russia on the invitation of his Russian Counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.

An official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told SUNA the Sudanese – Russian talks would focus on bilateral relations in political, economic and investment fields.

The source added that the foreign minister’s visit would also focus on the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and urging the donor countries to fulfil the pledges they made in Oslo and Paris, as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The foreign minister will also brief his Russian counterpart on the Darfur agreement which was recently signed in Abuja. Further, Akol will discuss with Lavrov regional and international issues of mutual interest.

“The Russian Federation will continue to offer every possible assistance in consolidating the political settlement on Darfur in the interests of Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity and peace in the region. Russian peacekeepers will also make their contribution to the UN’s efforts to promote stability,” Lavrov said, speaking at a meeting of the UN Security Council on Sudan 9 May.

(ST)