HE The Russian Ambassador On Moscow-Khartoum Relations
09 December, 2014KHARTOUM (SUDANOW)—The Second Session of the Russian-Arab Forum was convened here last week in a great political demonstration that was honored by HE the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Seizing this opportunity, SUNA made the following interview with HE Mirgayas Shirinsky, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Khartoum who transparently spoke on the bilateral relations between the Sudan and Russia and the efforts being exerted by the two sides for consolidating them for the interest of the two countries:-
Q: YE, the Russian-Sudanese diplomatic ties have been in existence since the 1950s, how do you evaluate those relations which have now six decades?
A: Yes. First of all, the political and diplomatic relations between our two countries are long and mature in time starting immediately after independence of the Sudan in the 1950s; as a matter of fact, they have begun even earlier than that time in some respects such as the cultural and literary aspects. Those relations passed through various stages due to the domestic developments in each of the two countries as well as the regional and international developments. Since their beginning the relations grew fast and in the beginning of the 1960s Russian President Leonid Brezhnev visited the Sudan during the regime of late President Ibrahim Abboud. After that visit the relations developed into cooperation in all spheres and Russia contributed to qualification of the national cadres by providing opportunities of studies and training in different scientific and medical specializations in addition to construction of some major institutions such as Soba University Hospital. The relationship then experienced a state of "complete paralysis in the early 1970s during the rule of President Jaafer Nimeiry but flourished once again during the regime of Sadek al-Mahdi. Now the bilateral relations between our two countries are well and firm and are increasingly developing and are characterized by political coordination and understanding between the leaderships of the two countries on international and regional issues. Let me mention at this point that the Sudan adopted a positive stance by voting among 11 states in favor of Russia on a draft resolution connected with the developments in Ukraine. We will always remember this attitude by the Sudan.
Q: YE, could you give us a brief on the Russian-Arab Forum and its role in strengthening the relations between Russia and the Arab region?
A: This was the second meeting as the first one was convened in Moscow last year. The Forum discusses the fields of the Russian-Arab cooperation in addition to mechanisms of political coordination on the regional and international issues besides hot issues like the situation in Syria and Palestine with a view to consolidating the positions in a way that serves the Russian-Arab interests, besides exploration of ways for bolstering the economic cooperation among the member states.
Q: What is the significance of naming Khartoum as a host of the Forum this year?
A: The selection of Khartoum as the first Arab capital to host the Forum is evidence that the Sudan enjoys confidence and respect by the neighbors and other states of the region as it is not easy to get a large number of officials and a considerable number of Arab Foreign ministers on such an international gathering. This was in addition to the strategic geographic position of the Sudan and the important role it plays on the international theatre.
Q: YE, can Khartoum act as the gateway for Russia to come back to the African Continent?
A: I do not support this notion as the Sudan is a vast country with tremendous opportunities of investment. It is true that in the past we neglected Africa in our foreign policy but during the last ten years, especially during the latest three years, the Russian projects in Africa have increased, particularly in the fields of mining and transportation of petroleum in West Africa, besides increasing visits to African countries by a number of Russian economic groups. We have strengthened our economic ties with the African countries and therefore we have numerous gateways to Africa.
Q: Is the presence of a special Russian envoy in the Sudan connected with a special concern with the situation in Darfur?
A: Our primary concern is for the Sudan to enjoy stability and is not confined to the problem of Darfur. We are also concerned with boosting the relations between our two countries and with the bilateral cooperation in all political, economic, defense and cultural fields, proceeding from the cordial ties that exist between the two countries. We exert all efforts in the UN Security Council to prevent adoption of resolutions that place the responsibility on the Sudanese government and exempt the other party to the conflict. We always try to make the Security Council adopt balanced resolutions aimed at reaching a peaceful solution to the problem in Darfur.
Q: How do you view the situation in the Sudan in light of the national dialogue initiative?
A: We strongly support and welcome the national dialogue initiative by President Omar al-Bashir which we consider as the right means for finding political and peaceful solutions to all problems by all the Sudanese political and social parties and groups. We wish all success for this initiative. There are some internal and external forces which believe that the key to resolving the country's problems lies in changing the political regime or toppling the government but I advise them to think otherwise because if they succeed in overthrowing the regime, they will not have a new Switzerland but, rather, another Libya, Iraq or Yemen.
Q: What about cooperation in the military field? Are there military agreements between the two countries?
A: The relationship between Russia and the Sudan is not confined to the political sphere. We have advanced and good cooperation in the field of defense. Russia offers substantial assistance for the Sudan to boost its defensive capabilities, including weapons and equipment in addition to military expertise by Russian experts in the air and land defenses. We do not hide this military cooperation from anyone. This sort of cooperation is not based on verbal understandings but on concluded agreements which we always seek to reactivate.
Q: What efforts is your embassy exerting for consolidation of the Russian-Sudanese economic cooperation?
A: We are highly interested in the economic and commercial relations but we admit that they are not up to our ambitions. The trade exchange between the two countries ranges between 300 million to 400 million dollars which is extremely modest compared to the political, social and defense ties. For this reason, an economic and commercial ministerial committee has been formed early last year, held its first meeting here and will get together in Moscow this month.
The embassy is not concerned with the economic activities as this is the responsibility of the economic partners which are the public and private companies. We take part in meetings and provide the data necessary for strengthening the relations in this connection.
Q: Are there projects of Russian investment in the Sudan?
A: We are keenly interested in this respect. A Russian-Sudanese Business Council was formed three years ago for encouragement of companies of the private sector for investment in Sudan. Some communication companies are planning to launch a satellite for the Sudan to help develop the communication weather forecast services. DAL, a major Sudanese company, has plans for establishing project of joint economic cooperation with the Russian private sector and has recently purchased Russian wheat worth 80 million dollars.
There are Russian companies operate in the mining of gold, including a big company which is engaged in gold mining in an area close to Atbara, the River Nile State. There are other Russian companies engaged in petroleum and aviation services in the Sudan.
Q: Are there plans by Russia for cooperation in the agricultural sector in Sudan?
A: As a matter of fact, until recently, our cooperation has been focused on gold and petroleum, but the Russian-Sudanese Business Council has now turned to the agricultural sector. Only six weeks ago an agreement was reached with the Sudanese Northern State for setting up a joint agricultural investment venture.
Q: How about the cultural relations between the two countries?
A: These relations are diverse and advanced. I was told by a number of my Sudanese friends that about 17,000 Sudanese have graduated from former Soviet and present Russian universities and institutes. Those graduates still maintain ties with their Russian teachers and colleagues and have formed the Soviet Union Graduates League which is closely connected with the Sudanese-Russian Friendship Association. The League is presently engaged, in cooperation with the Association, in a project for building the Russian Friendship Home in the International Park, south of Khartoum. The embassy has provided a financial contribution to this project and maintains continued contacts with the Sudanese associations in support of their activities of organizing lectures and other programmes. A Russian Language and Literature Hall has been established as part of the Russian Language Department in the University of Khartoum.
Q: How do you evaluate the viewpoint by the international media on the Sudan?
A: Unfortunately, it is unfriendly. There is a great difference between the reality and the distorted image that is reflected by the international media about the Sudan. The international media often take aggressive and totally unfair attitudes towards the Sudan. We also suffer from this attitude in Russia and we have to exert tremendous efforts for reversing this viewpoint.
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