The Sudanese government is preparing to host the African Turkish conference, which will be held in Khartoum from January 18 to January 19, under the banner “the future of African Turkish relations,” according to the Sudanese State Minister of International Cooperation Ishraqah Mahmoud. Mahmoud told the Sudanese News Agency (SUNA) that the choice of Khartoum to host this conference was due to the country's leading role among African countries and the distinguished bilateral relations between Sudan and Turkey. For his part, the head of the conference arrangements committee, Al-Taher Soliman said Khartoum will host the seventh session of the African-Turkish Conference for the first time, as it used to be held in Turkey since 2005. He added that a seminar will be included on the sidelines of the Conference for African civil society organizations, alongside the round-table meeting between Sudan and Turkey that aims to enhance the bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Sudanese state minister, Ahmed Krimnno also  held a meeting with the European Union Ambassador in Sudan, Francois Bernard during which they discussed the EU projects of developing Sudanese provinces,in particular the Blue Nile province and South Kordofan. In addition, Bernard stressed the continuous cooperation between the Sudanese government and the European Union, especially in the development field.