Sudan and Russia agree to consolidate cooperation

June 11, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan and Russia have agreed to enhance joint cooperation in areas of natural resources, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, transport and training.

The agreement was announced at the conclusion of the 5th session of the joint Sudanese-Russian high-level committee for political consultation meetings in Khartoum Saturday.

The Sudanese side was headed by the state minister for foreign affairs Kamal Ismail while the Russian side was chaired by the Russian President’s Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mikhail Bogdanov.

The meetings discussed the ongoing efforts to reach a political settlement between the Sudanese parties, and the need to work hard toward full implementation of the cooperation agreements between Sudan and South Sudan at the top of which the security arrangements.

The two sides have affirmed that overcoming the political crisis in South Sudan will also create suitable conditions for mutual confidence and constructive cooperation between Khartoum and Juba.

Last September, the Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov hosted in Moscow talks between foreign ministers of Sudan and South Sudan to discuss the outstanding issues between the two neighbouring countries.

At the time, It was decided that Moscow would monitor the implementation of the cooperation agreements that were signed between Khartoum and Juba in 2012.

Sudanese and South Sudanese agreed earlier this week to enforces the cooperation agreements starting by the activation of the buffer zone and the deployment of the joint monitoring teams.