President Al-Bashir, visiting French minister discuss peace process

By Sudanese TV

KHARTOUM, Jan 15, 2004 — The president of the republic, Staff Lt-Gen Umar al-Bashir, has received a written message from the French president, Jacques Chirac. The message was delivered at the guest house today by the French minister for external trade, Francois Loos. The [Sudanese] external trade minister, Dr Jalal Yusuf al-Duqayr, was also present.

The message touched on strengthening ties, particularly in the railways, electricity and sugar production sectors.

During their meeting, the French minister was briefed on developments in the peace process and the efforts towards signing a final peace agreement.

The French minister for external trade, said his country was concerned about the Sudanese peace process and the aftermath of the peace talks given the existing bilateral relations and through Sudan’s active participation in the UN.

The meeting also touched on President Chirac’s expected visit to Sudan and issues related to bilateral cooperation.

BBC Monitoring Middle East