Sudan’s Bashir sets out for Russia for talks with Putin

By Bahram Abdel-Moneim

KHARTOUM (AA) - Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Wednesday set out for Russia, where he is scheduled to hold official talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry announced Monday that al-Bashir planned to visit Russia for a two-day official visit.

"The visit comes upon the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin within the context of the burgeoning ties between our two countries," Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour said in a statement.

Al-Bashir is scheduled to meet Putin in a closed-door meeting, which will be followed by an open meeting attended by government ministers from both sides.

"Meetings are expected to tackle social, political, cultural and military issues, along with means of further promoting bilateral cooperation," Ghandour said.

While in Russia, al-Bashir is also slated to meet Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, with whom he is expected to sign a raft of bilateral agreements.