Sudan, South Sudan Ministers ‘strengthen ties’

Sudan and South Sudan have agreed on the establishment of strong relations between them on the grounds that the two countries are linked to each other with a joint history, blood ties.

The official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reports that meetings have been held between Sudan and South Sudan in Khartoum, co-headed by Sudanese Foreign Minister, Prof. Ibrahim Ghandour, and his South Sudanese counterpart, Deng Alor.

In a press statement, Ghandour said that he received his counterpart of South Sudan, Deng Alor, who was heading a high-level delegation for participation at the meetings of the Joint Political and Security Committee, which began on Sunday to follow-up implementation of the agreements that were reached between the two countries’ Presidents, Omar Al Bashir and Salva Kiir.

Ghandour said that he and the Sudanese delegation congratulated South Sudan on the formation of the national unity government, and he congratulated Deng Alor for assuming the role of Foreign Minister.

He said that the talks included the roles of Sudan and South Sudan Foreign Ministries for consolidating bilateral relations.

He indicated that the talks included implementation former agreement between the two countries and the cooperation on the regional and international issues and the consultation on the issues of mutual concern.

South Sudan’s Foreign Minister, Deng Alor, said that the two sides discussed issues of mutual concern and the cooperation between them on regional and other issues.

He affirmed the specialty of the relations between Sudan and South Sudan because Sudan was a part of Sudan, adding that the two countries aim to enhance the relations between them.

Alor said that they conveyed a message from President Salva Kiir to President Omer Al-Bashir dealing with the means to solve the problems between the two countries.

The spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Ali Al-Saddiq, said that the two Foreign Ministers pledged to do their best for enhancing the bilateral relations in all domains.

He said that the two sides have declared their commitment to coordinate efforts and to work jointly at East Africa region, the African Union and at the international levels.

Industry

Sudan’s Minister for Industry, Dr Abdou Dawoud Sulieman held discussions with the Minister of Industry of South Sudan, Steven Dio, on the progress of industrial relations between Sudan and South Sudan and stressed strength of ties between the two people and countries.

The Sudanese Minister indicated to completion of agreements to be signed between the two countries and to work for making use of the raw materials available in the South Sudan and that South Sudan shares experience of "Made in Sudan Exhibition."

The South Sudanese Minister of Industry affirmed agreement with the Ministry of Industry in Sudan to provide technical aid in field of training and industrial studies and consultations to South Sudan and entering into partnerships by making use of available resources in the South in coordination with the Sudanese private sector.

Sugar

South Sudan's Undersecretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Eliza B Jock has expressed South Sudan's desire to cooperate with the Sudan in the domain of industry and to obtain some of the experiences Sudan has gained in mounting the Made in Sudan exhibition, which is a venue for promotion of locally produced commodities and industrial products.

The South Sudan Undersecretary has commended the exhibition saying their participation in the event was prompted by the fact that South Sudan is rich in many resources that could be used in industrial production for both local and export purposes.

She said her country also hoped to re-launch the sugar production factories in Mangala, Watt, and Anzara in South Sudan which will contribute in the production of food products.

She said South Sudan intends to make use of its local natural resources and that it would seek the experience of the Sudan in this field.

(Source: SUNA)