South vows commitment to build strong ties with Sudan
April 3, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudan foreign minister on Tuesday expressed his country’s commitment to establishing and strengthening friendly, strong and stable long-term bilateral relations with all neigbouring countries including Sudan.
The young nation is in the process of incrementally implementing a six-month-old cooperation agreement on borders, security, freedom of movement, oil and other issues relating to the South Sudan’s 2011 separation from Sudan as part of a landmark peace deal.
Relations between the two have been rocky since the South’s independence but despite alleged north-to-south cross-border attacks in recent weeks the two sides have taken steps since the beginning of March to improve relations.
South Sudan’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Nhial Deng Nhial, made the remarks at press briefing after holding talks with the visiting Finish Foreign Affairs Minister, Erkki Tuomioja, in the country’s capital Juba on Tuesday.
The senior government official told journalists that he was pleased to have received visiting Finland delegation who were interested to know the level of his country’s relations with neigbouring countries.
“It was a positive discussion which looked around what we have done and what did we achieve in the country and with the neigbouring countries in term of relations. I also briefed the minister and the accompanying delegation the current political developments in the region, especially the agreement with the government of Sudan and how it will contribute to positive political climate in the region”, Nhial told reporters.
He commended the role played by the government of Finland in the past, especially during the decades of Sudanese civil war, which resulted in South Sudan’s independence referendum in 2011 in compliance with the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
“Finland, as you know is one of the countries in the world which stood with our people during our struggle which eventually culminated into the independence of this country. The people and government of Finland supported us a lot. Finland also enjoys cordial relations with our people and the government not only because of the role it played during struggle but even after gaining independence. They are working very hard with other countries to promote our relations with them,” the minister said.
“Finland also provides humanitarian assistance to this country. So we had frank and fruitful discussions where I stressed on our interest and commitment as the government on behalf of the people being the democratically elected government to establish and build not only a long term cooperation with Sudan but interested to ensure these efforts grow into a stable and friendly cooperative relationship on the basis of principle of peaceful coexistence”, Nhial explained.
Meanwhile Finland Foreign minister, Erkki Tuomioja, expressed happiness with recognition of the assistance his country had given South Sudanese during their struggle for independence and in the development of the new nation.
He wished the world’s newest nation good luck and prosperity for the future.
“I must say that I have been encouraged by what I have so far seen and heard about the situation in this country. I have heard a lot of things have been done in a very short time and Finland government and people would always continue to provide support whenever there is a need to do so. We will be ready to do as government and people. Already we have NGOs working here. They are supporting government of South Sudan fill gaps where assistance is required”, said minister Tuomioja.
He said his country spends six million euros ($7.7mn) every year to support humanitarian and development organisations working in the areas of governance as well as water sanitation programs.
(ST)