MOSCOW. April 22 (Interfax-AVN) - Sudanese Defense Minister Bakri Hassan Salih's visit to Moscow will promote bilateral relations not only in the military sphere, but also at the interstate level, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said opening a meeting with his Sudanese counterpart in Moscow on Monday.
"We used to enjoy very good relations in the military and military-technical spheres in the past," he said.
Ivanov invited the Sudanese defense minister "to discuss the situation in the Middle East, which bothers us both, as well as measures against international terrorism."
Salih will be provided with the opportunity to visit a number of defense industry enterprises, so that he can study "the potential of the Russian industry," Ivanov said.
"We will do all we can so that our military and military- technical ties progress in the interests of our states," he said.
Salih said in turn that Sudanese-Russian relations go back a long way. "They were developing especially actively in the 1960s. Many of our officers were studying in your country. They speak Russian well and have a good command of military hardware. We know that Russian hardware is the most reliable."
Salih noted that the purpose for the visit of the Sudanese military delegation is "to establish strategic relations between our armed forces." Recalling that the Sudanese foreign minister recently came to Moscow, Salih announced that the president of the country will also pay a visit to Russia in the near future.
Salih handed over through Ivanov an official message from the Sudanese leader to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"Our policy, in particular, on various military issues, coincides with Russia's. We share your policy as regards measures against terrorism," Salih said.
Pointing out that Sudan enjoys "good relations with its African and Arab neighbors," Salih noted that "we have one problem, which is being resolved now - with America."