FIRST MINISTER LEVEL REVIEW OF COOPERATION BETWEEN INDIA AND SUDAN
HELD JWG SET UP; TO MEET IN KHARTOUM IN EARLY 2004
Shri Ram Naik, Shri
Ram Naik, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Dr. Awad
Ahmed El Jazz, Minister of Energy and Mining of the Republic of
Sudan undertook a review of the progress on an ongoing
basis at their level keeping in view the enormous potential that
exist in the fields of bilateral cooperation in the hydrocarbon
sector between the two countries The two Ministers decided to
constitute a Joint Working Group (JWG) to review the cooperation
in hydrocarbon sector between the two countries at official level.
In a joint statement issued here today, the Ministers said that
the JWG would pursue continued cooperation between the two sides
in order that such cooperation is enhanced and consolidated. It
was agreed by both the sides that the first meeting of the Joint
Working Group be held in Khartoum in early 2004.
Earlier in the day
Dr. Awad Ahmed El Jazz was received in audience by the President
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who recalled his historic visit to Sudan
in October, 2003 which was a landmark in the two countries’ bilateral
relations. Dr. Awad Ahmed El Jazz is currently on a State
Visit to India accompanied by a high level delegation from 3rd
December to 8th December, 2003.
The two Ministers
noted with satisfaction the progress made in the ongoing projects.
It was also noted that representatives of the Sudanese Companies
and ONGC Videsh had separately held satisfactory discussions on
ONGC Videsh’s participation in the Port Sudan Oil Refinery expansion
project and Khartoum – Port Sudan Petroleum products pipeline
project
Both the sides observed
and expressed their satisfaction that the strategic partnership
between the two countries in the oil sector has taken shape with
the land mark entry of ONGC Videsh in the Greater Nile Oil Project
in Sudan. Both the Ministers took note of the good performance
of ONGC Videsh in the Greater Nile Oil Project. The Sudanese counterpart
also appreciated the contribution being made by ONGC Videsh in
providing credible assistance in the fields of health care, IT
education and self-reliant modern methods of farming in Sudan.
The Indian side apprised
the visiting Minister about the status of proposed participation
in exploration Blocks 5A & 5B and in other exploration blocks
in Sudan being pursued by ONGC Videsh. Dr. Awad Ahmed El Jazz
welcomed the significant investments being made by ONGC Videsh
in the hydrocarbon sector in Sudan and assured the fullest cooperation
of the Government of Sudan. The visiting dignitary has extended
his invitation to Shri Ram Naik, Minister of Petroleum and Natural
Gas to visit Sudan for the second ministerial level review meeting,
the date of which will be finalised through diplomatic channels.
