World Bulletin/News Desk

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said his country is working on reaching a military cooperation agreement with Sudan.

Lavrov's assertion came during a joint press conference with his Sudanese counterpart, Ali Karti, following a meeting between the two men in Khartoum.

The hoped-for agreement, Lavrov said, would not affect the "balance of power in the region."

Karti, for his part, said that a number of Russian energy companies sought licenses to operate in Sudan.

He added that license applications would be reviewed at a joint ministerial committee meeting to be held in Moscow next week.

Lavrov arrived in Khartoum early Wednesday in order to take part in the Second Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum, which will feature top diplomats from Russia and the Arab world.

Following the forum, which will take place at midday Wednesday, Lavrov is scheduled to meet with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.