Sudanese FM praises Egypt’s stance as regards Sudan’s unity

KHARTOUM, Oct 12, 2004 (MENA) — Sudanese Foreign Minister Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail praised Egypt’s clear and firm stance based on preserving Sudan’s unity.

Speaking exclusively to the Egyptian TV correspondent here, Dr Ismail underlined that Egyptian-Sudanese relations have recently become stronger.

He said that bilateral relations had made long strides after removing all obstacles and reaching the Four Freedoms Agreement, incorporating work, residence, movement and ownership.

He said that Sudan was much obliged to efforts exerted by President Hosni Mubarak and the Egyptian government for boosting bilateral relations.

He said that the five-way summit that the African Union and Libya called for and which will also includes Egypt, Chad and Sudan, will be held on 17 October in Tripoli to push forward Abuja peace negotiations held between Khartoum and the Darfur rebels groups, scheduled to resume on 21 October.

On the ongoing peace negotiations between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), he said that several meetings had been held between the two sides.

Discussions were frank and the two delegations listened to a report by the joint technical committee, he said. Meetings continued in a bid to tackle obstacles facing the committee, he added.