Egyptian, Sudanese FMs affirm deeply-rooted ties between both countries

CAIRO - 3 March 2020: Egyptian Foreign minister Sameh Shoukry and his Sudanese counterpart Mariam al Sadeq al Mahdi stressed the deeply-rooted cooperation between both countries in various fields.

The ministers made the remarks during a joint press conference held Tuesday at the conclusion of their talks.They conferred with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi as part of her first visit to Cairo since assuming her new post.

Shoukry said an expanded session of talks was held in the presence of both countries' delegations, focusing on the common destiny.

Talks also touched on means to push forward relations between both countries, Shoukry added.

Both sides have a strong political determination to work at various levels as per directives of political leaderships in the two countries, according to Shoukry. All bilateral, regional and international issues, including the Ethiopian dam file, were discussed in depth, Shoukry said.

During the press conference, the foreign minister touched on the Ethiopian dam file, and means to move forward to reach a just and fair agreement ensuring the interests of the three countries in a balanced way.

Shoukry added that efforts will continue to push for a deal, outline a framework of cooperation and understanding and avoid tension and confrontation.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese foreign minister said she had a meeting with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, hailing the president's vision on the importance of Cairo-Khartoum relations and the necessity of pushing them forward.

During her meeting with President Sisi, the Sudanese minister pointed out to her country's moves after the revolution and the signing of the Peace Agreement to achieve economic development, noting that Sudan is keen to benefit from the Egyptian powerful economic experience.

She added that Sudan braces for Paris conference which will help the country explore open relations with the world countries, mainly at the economic level, expressing hope that Cairo would support Khartoum as it always do at all forums.

Mahdi touched on the latest developments related to the Ethiopian dam, noting that the stalemate in negotiations posed many threats to Egypt and Sudan.

An agreement was reached on the necessity of accelerating a major African diplomatic action to help resume negotiations and reach an agreement guaranteeing Ethiopia's development, as well as preserving the interests of the Egyptian and and Sudanese peoples, she added.

The Sudanese foreign minister described the situation on Sudan's borders and Gadarif State as "accelerating," pointing out her country's border demarcation treaty signed in 1902.

The border issue could be resolved via diplomatic and legal ways, but a great threat would be posed if the Ethiopian bodies continued filling the GERD in the way it announced earlier, she warned.