Sudan Enjoys 'Solid' Ties With Turkey: Minister

Sudanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kemal al-Din Ismail on Thursday hailed his country's relations with Turkey as "solid."



"Relations between Turkey and Sudan are solid and based on mutual benefits," Ismail told The Anadolu Agency on the sidelines of the Second Africa-Turkey Summit, now underway in Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea.



"We enjoy special and deep-rooted relations," he added.



The three-day summit, which kicked off on Wednesday, is expected to discuss plans and targets for the blooming partnership between Turkey and Africa over the next five years.



Regarding business ties between the two countries, he said Turkey was currently engaged in numerous projects in the areas of agriculture and manufacturing.



"But the trade exchange volume existing between the two countries to date does not tally with their longstanding relations and closeness," he said.



Turkey, he said, had the technology and expertise that Sudan badly needs for its national development.



Concerning the future of Turkey-Africa relations, Ismail said the partnership that was transformed in 2008 had a lot to offer for the peoples of the two countries.



Africa, he said, wanted to bring its total trade volume up to $50 billion from a current $23 billion over the next five years.



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