Dr. Nafie who met Tuesday at the Republican Palace the visiting Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Chinami Nishimura, expressed his appreciation of the humanitarian assistance bding extended by Japan for Darfur, besides its readiness to support the unity fund and the referendum.

He expressed Sudan's desire to establish joint direct relations between Sudan and Tokyo far away from the allegations of the western media.

Dr.Nafie said that the meeting also reviewed the arrangements to hold the coming referendum, hope that the visit of the Japanese minister to Sudan will boost the relations linking the two countries.

Meanwhile, the Japanese official appreciated the developments in Sudan and the efforts to realize the comprehensive peace