Sudan seeks Malaysia’s help to hold NAM Ministerial meeting

PUTRAJAYA, Oct. 17, 2003 (Bernama) — Sudan has sought Malaysia’s help to host the Non-Aligned Movement’s (NAM) ministerial meeting in Khartoum next year, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said Friday.

He said the request mas made by his Sudanese counterpart Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail during their bilateral talks on the sidelines of the 10th Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Summit, here.

“Dr Mustafa said the hosting of the OIC Summit by Malaysia is fantastic,” he told reporters after his 30-minute meeting with Dr Mustafa.

Syed Hamid said he was also briefed on the latest situation on the peace plan in northern and southern Sudan.

“It is good that the peace process is going on smoothly because we have a very strong presence in terms of investments in Sudan,” he said.

Petronas, the national oil corporation, is the first oil company to invest in Sudan.

Later, Syed Hamid met Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Sadik Salihovick Safaev.