Sudanese FM holds discussions in Brussels

BRUSSELS, Belgium, Dec 08, 2003 (PANA) — Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail is expected to hold talks Tuesday with European Commissioner in charge of Development and Humanitarian Aid, Poul Nielson, the Belgian foreign ministry has said.

The talks will centre on the political situation in Sudan, particularly on the peace negotiations between Khartoum and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) rebels.

Nielson will also seek to inquire about the humanitarian situation in the Darfour region hit by fierce fighting between Sudanese government forces and Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) rebels.

The European Union has released in 2003 humanitarian aid worth 24 million euros for war victims in Sudan.

In addition, Ismail is scheduled to meet Wednesday with his Belgian counterpart, Louis Michel, with whom he will sign a co-operation agreement, the ministry said, adding that at the end of the meeting, the Sudanese minister will hold another round of talks with Belgian Development Co-operation Minister Marc Verlwilghen.

Ismail arrived here Monday on a four-day visit.