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Russia, Sudan agree to expand ties in resource development — ministry

The two countries' diplomats discussed key aspects of the inter-Sudanese settlement, cooperation in a number of spheres

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. Russia and the Republic of Sudan have agreed to expand cooperation in the area of natural resources development, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday after the fifth session of the Russia-Sudan high-level working committee.

Russia was represented by president’s special envoy for the Middle East and African countries and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, Sudan - by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Kamal Ismail.

"The sides confirmed mutual commitment to strengthening cooperation in the area of development of natural resources, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, transport and personnel training," the Russian foreign ministry said.

"The sides discussed key aspects of the inter-Sudanese settlement, including the necessity to continue efforts towards complete implementation of agreements between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan reached in September 2012, in particular on security in the border zone," the ministry said. "The sides agreed that the settlement of the political crisis in South Sudan will create major conditions for the resumption of efforts aimed at forming the atmosphere of mutual trust and constructive cooperation between Khartoum and Juba."

"Touching on the situation in Darfur, the sides noted considerable progress in the implementation of the Document for Peace in Darfur adopted in Doha in 2011 which is the sole platform for the continuation of the political process and complete normalization of the situation in these Sudanese region," the ministry said. "In this context, the sides stressed the importance of the April 11-13 referendum on Darfur’s administrative system."