Khartoum expects to hold the next meeting of the Russian-Sudanese intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation in late October or in November, Mohammad Sharif, deputy foreign minister of Sudan, said at an online conference on Wednesday.
"In the meetings that we held between the foreign representatives of our countries, we paid much attention to the political issues of the relations between our countries, as well as the question of convening the next meeting of the intergovernmental commission. We hope that at the end of October or in November, maybe there will be this meeting," he said.
According to the deputy minister, this meeting "will address all aspects of economic cooperation." "On the Sudanese side, our commission is headed by the minister of natural resources, technical cooperation and progress in various areas will be discussed. I hope that the Russian side will also actively participate in this meeting, it is very important: at this commission, we hope to discuss Russian investments in different areas, such as mining," he said.
Sharif pointed out that the sides maintain an active dialogue in the field of agriculture. "We would like to develop it further," he continued. - "Both crop and livestock farming. We hope that Russian investments will increase in these spheres."
Khartoum hopes to "use Russia's experience in the development of various scientific fields" as well as in the oil industry, where Russia has "great potential," the deputy foreign minister added. "There is another sphere - the sphere of tourism. I think we can actively cooperate here too," the diplomat said.
Russian Navy supply point
The deputy foreign minister of Sudan also said that during his visit to Moscow he discussed the topic of the agreement on the creation of the Russian naval supply point in the republic.
"We discussed this issue at a meeting of the Russian-Sudanese high-level working committee. This issue will be coordinated between the militaries of our countries," he said. Sharif added that he had discussed the problem of military cooperation with representatives of the Russian foreign ministry. "Russia has taken all the necessary measures, but we have not yet fully formed legislative bodies in Sudan to have the authority to sign such an agreement. We need the Supreme legislative council to sign this document or approve it," he explained.
The agreement between the countries on the establishment of a naval logistics point in the territory of Sudan became known at the beginning of December 2020. The naval logistics point is supposed to be used for repairs, resupply and rest of the crew members of Russian warships. According to the document, the maximum number of personnel of the Naval station will not exceed 300 people. No more than four Russian ships will be able to stay there at one time.
On July 1, Russian president Vladimir Putin submitted the agreement to the State duma for ratification.
Russia's support
Sudan expects Russia's support during the country's transition period to be more active, Sharif said.
"Although cooperation [between Sudan and the Russian Federation] continues, and the Russian Federation is helping Sudan in many areas - in the international arena, in international organizations - we are facing many problems now, at the moment of the transition period that Sudan is going through. We would like the Russian leadership to understand us in this situation," he said. - "We would like the Russian Federation to provide more assistance to our state in this difficult political phase that we are now going through."
Sharif noted that relations between the two countries have a long history and remain strong. "Even after the changes that took place in Sudan, these relations remain developed and positive," the deputy minister added.
Signal for the development of relations
Mohammad Sharif said his visit to Russia is meant to send a signal to the Russian leadership that Khartoum intends to further develop bilateral relations.
"This visit is meant to send a signal to the Russian leadership that our relations are stable, that they are developing, will develop. We have come here to affirm this very goal - to strengthen our relations on the basis of those historical relations that have long linked our two countries," he said. Sharif also expressed gratitude to the Russian foreign ministry for the reception and stressed that the talks were fruitful and allowed for the discussion of various issues.
"First of all, we would like to express our deep gratitude to Mr. Mikhail Bogdanov, Russian deputy foreign minister, and the entire staff of the Russian foreign ministry for the warm welcome and for the understanding and cooperation that we felt during this visit," the diplomat added. - "The atmosphere was very positive and we were able to exchange views on various issues, especially bilateral relations between our countries".
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials TASS