Sudan, Turkey reiterate commitment to security of Red Sea area

KHARTOUM, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Sudan and Turkey on Tuesday reiterated commitment to the security of the Red Sea area in eastern Sudan, expressing readiness to work together to ensure stability and security in the Red Sea.

Foreign ministers of Sudan and Turkey on Tuesday held a press conference in Khartoum at the conclusion of the visit of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Sudan.

"750 km of shores are Sudan's border at the Red Sea area, while 86 percent of the world oil trade pass through the area, and therefore, the security of the Red Sea is extremely important," said Sudan's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour at the joint press conference.

"One of the agreements signed between Sudan and Turkey is on establishment of a port at the Red Sea for maintenance of civilian and military ships," he added.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that "Turkey attaches concern to the Red Sea as it is a strategic area."

"The security of Africa and Sudan is important for Turkey. We will continue to provide the necessary support for Sudan to face any security issues at this area, and we have a military base in Somalia," noted Cavusoglu.

Erdogan on Sunday arrived in the Sudanese capital Khartoum as the first stop of his tour in Africa that will also take him to Chad and Tunisia.

Erdogan's visit marked the first time that a Turkish president has ever visited Sudan since the independence of the North African nation in 1956.

During the visit, the Turkish president was accompanied a great economic delegation including more than 200 Turkish businessmen. Enditem