Sudan’s Bashir meets France’s Chirac

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso, Nov 27, 2004 (SUNA) — President of the Republic Field Marshal Omer Al-Bashir has reiterated the government’s keenness to achieve a peace agreement with Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) before the end of the current year.

This came when President Al-Bashir met Friday on the sidelines of the Francophonie Summit in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, with French President Jaques Chirac.

President Al-Bashir affirmed the government’s commitment to the humanitarian and security protocols which were concluded with Darfur rebels, pointing out that the government enters the coming session of negotiations with an open heart and great keenness to reach a peace agreement at the same time with the peace agreement with SPLM.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mustafa Osman Ismail pointed out in a statement to SUNA that President Chirac affirmed his country’s cooperation with Sudan concerning the files of peace in south Sudan and Darfur, affirming that his country will play an important role in the field of rehabilitation and development and removal of Sudan’s debts.

Ismail added that the French President commended the developments Sudan has witnessed, affirming his support to Abuja talks between the government and Darfur rebels.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs added that France has affirmed its support to the application presented by Sudan to obtain observer member status in the Francophonei summit, which will be considered during the coming summit.

Ismail described the meeting between Presidents Al-Bashir and Chirac as positive and that it tackled the progress of bilateral relations in all fields, pointing out that President Al-Bashir invited President Chirac to visit Sudan.