Khartoum - Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Hakan Cavusoglu has affirmed that Sudan would be a center of economic development in the African continent in less than two decades time, calling for further promotion of the relations between the two countries in all military, political, economic and trade fields.
Cavusoglu indicated that Sudan possesses vast mineral and agricultural resources besides committed human resources a matter that would make Sudan a major economic power in the coming 15 years.
The Turkish Deputy Prime Minister, speaking during a visit to the Turkish Waqf Al Maarif School at Kafuri suburb in Khartoum Thursday, said Turkey and Sudan are linked with many common bonds.
He added that Turkey and Sudan should not look backward to what had been said about their relations, but rather they should focus on utilizing these ties for boosting joint cooperation in all fields that serve their interests, which, he said, do not target any one.
Cavusoglu disclosed in a statement to SUNA that the ministers of the economic sectors of the two countries would meet in next April in Turkey to make the final touches for implementation of the agreements signed between the two countries.
He strongly denied allegations that Suakin would be a military base, stressing that those who make such claims do not know the reality that the area is for tourism and that the island cannot be a military base for its small size and position, saying that his country doesn’t want this in the first place.
He said fears by some circles have no bases, noting that what these circles fear is the development of Sudan into a major economic power in the area.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister met during the visit with First Vice President and National Prime Minister Gen. Bakri Hassan Saleh and discussed bilateral relations between the two countries.
Cavusoglu told reporters that a meeting between officials of the two countries would be held in Turkey in March to discuss ways and means of increasing the volume of trade exchange and expanding horizons of joint cooperation. Adding that Turkish Airlines will launch regular flights to Port Sudan.
Talks held between President Omer Al Bashir and his Turkish counterpart RecepTayyip Erdogan in Khartoum last December were culminated with signing of 12 agreements in various fields, calling for increasing trade exchange to a billion dollars.