French trade minister to visit Sudan Jan 15-16?

PARIS, Jan 14, 2004 (KUNA) — French junior minister for trade, Francois Loos, ‏‏will pay a two-day visit to Sudan, beginning January 15, to discuss ‏‏reconstruction aid and bilateral economic ties, the Foreign Ministry announced.‏

‏France has been a strong backer of the peace process in Sudan and has ‏‏promised political and economic support for the country if the decades-old ‏‏ethnic rivalry ends there.‏
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Loos is expected to be met at the highest level by Sudanese government ‏‏officials and he should meet with President Omar Hassan Ahmed Al-Bashir.‏

‏The Minister will confirm the availability of France to participate in the ‏‏reconstruction of Sudan in the context created by the recent peace process,” ‏‏the French Foreign Ministry said.‏

‏This participation would include “mobilizing French companies that are ‏‏already present in Sudan.”‏

‏Loos will also hold talks with the Sudanese Industry, Foreign Trade, ‏‏Transport and Electricity Ministries.