Venezuela to open resident embassy in Sudan

April 30, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan and Venezuela have started preparation to open resident embassy in Khartoum in the near future, the official news agency SUNA reported Wednesday.

Since June 2005, Venezuela has established diplomatic relations with Sudan as President Hugo Chavez’s administration seeks stronger ties with African nations.

Khartoum last week received Venezuelan diplomats to initiate procedures to open a resident embassy in Sudan, it is hoped that Sudan is a similar step in the coming months for mutual benefits and communication between the Sudanese people and the peoples of South America.

Three years ago Sudan opened its first resident embassy in South American continent in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil.

Since taking office in 1999, Chavez has sought broader diplomatic ties and trade agreements with governments in African and Asian countries while gradually distancing oil-rich Venezuela from the United States.

(ST)