Iran FM stresses bolstering of ties with Sudan
Sudan-Iran, Politics, 4/26/2006

Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki yesterday stressed the importance of bolstering ties with Sudan through regular exchange of visits between high-ranking officials of the two countries.

Mottaki, at a meeting with the visiting Sudanese Foreign Minister Lam Akol Ajawin, praised the constructive consultations between Tehran and Khartoum.

Calling for optimum bilateral industrial, economic and cultural cooperation, he remarked that "an open atmosphere for bolstering relations in all fields is visible in both Iran and Sudan." Pointing to an upcoming meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) that is to be held in Havana, Cuba, he expressed hope the two sides would exert more efforts to activate NAM by strengthening its secretariat and devising effective strategies.

"We believe cooperation and cultivation of close relations among countries that we consider our friends can be achieved through mutual consultations," the Iranian minister said.

He suggested the creation of a front consisting of like-minded members of the NAM to boost the organization's ability to confront international challenges and meet its goals.

Referring to the Sudanese national debt to Iran, Mottaki said negotiations between the two countries' economic ministers can come up with appropriate mechanisms to encourage private sector participation in each other's economy to achieve their economic goals.

Referring to the ethnic conflict in Sudan's southern region, he said the peace pact clinched by the government with rebels was a "wise strategy of the Sudanese officials which settled an old crisis in the country's south." "We hope the peace pact will lead to restoration of stability and security for the Sudanese people." Akol Ajawin, for his part, described mutual ties between Tehran and Khartoum as "positive," and called for forging of new agreements to serve as a framework for new, productive activities.

He also stressed the importance of encouraging more private sector investment in each other's territory, saying the two sides have great potentials and resources to expand their cooperative relations.

Giving a synopsis of developments in Sudan's troubled Darfur region leading to the peace pact as well as the developments in Sudan-Chad ties, he said settlement of the crisis in Darfur would pave the way for much-needed reconstruction and economic advancement of the country.

The Sudanese minister expressed his country's support for Iran's peaceful nuclear program.

Tehran-Khartoum political relations have risen markedly in recent years.

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