Sudan First Vice President describes his visit to Qatar as fruitful

Jan 24, 2007 (DOHA) — Sudanese First Vice-President Salva Kiir Mayardit has described the talks he had today with the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani as good and fruitful.

At a press conference held shortly before leaving Doha after a two-day visit to Qatar, The Sudanese First Vice-President said the talks dealt with relations between the two countries which he lauded as strong.

He referred to the support Qatar provided to help develop the Sudanese economy and implement the peace agreement signed between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) which ended over twenty years of civil war in the country.

Salva Kiir said the State of Qatar was concerned with the unity of Sudan especially after the signing of the peace agreement and wanted to see a unified Sudan.

Salva Kiir stressed that Sudan’s development could not be realized without the unity. He further said that lack of development and economic improvement in the region could lead southerners to vote for independence.

Salva Kiir, who is also the President Of South Sudan Government, said he discussed with officials in Doha, Qatar’s support for South Sudan In the fields of education, health and economy, in addition to investment between the two countries. He said his talks also dealt with developments in the west Sudan region of Darfur.

On Tuesday evening, Kiir met Qatari businessmen and briefed them on investment possibilities in Sudan in general and in southern Sudan in particular.

Political circles in Doha said the visit was aimed at boosting the bilateral ties and mutual cooperation, especially at economic level.

First Vice-President and President of Southern Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit yesterday arrived in Qatar’s capital Doha on a two-day official visit.

(ST)