French foreign minister to visit Sudan in the third week of February : report

KHARTOUM, Feb 07, 2004 (Sudan Tribune) — The French foreign minister, Dominique De Villepin, is expected to visit Sudan in the third week of this month, the official newspaper Al-Anbaa said today.

During his two-day official visit, the French foreign minister will hold talks with his Sudanese counterpart, Mustafa Osman Ismail on bilateral relations, peace in Sudan and other regional issues.

The French official will also hold talks with other government officials on political and economic issues, bilateral relations and the role of France in Sudan after the peace accord has been signed.

French President Jacques Chirac has accepted an invitation to visit Sudan from his Sudanese counterpart Omar al-Beshir but a date has yet to be set.

Sudanese officials hail the great role played by France in the UN, in the Security Council and in the IMF in favor of Sudanese government.

French Foreign Trade Minister Francois Loos paid a visit to Sudan mid January.