Egypt’s parliament speaker meets southern Sudan envoy

By Roba Gibia

September 6, 2007 (CAIRO) — The speaker of the Egyptian parliament and the head of southern Sudan government office in Cairo discussed means to strengthen cooperation between the nascent parliament in Juba and the Egyptian parliament.

Ahmed Fathy Surur, Speaker of Egypt’s National Parliament met Wednesday at his office Parmena Makuet Head of GoSS Mission in Cairo. Makuet explained the purpose and objectives of his mission in the Middle East, Gulf States and The League of the Arab Nations and conveyed greetings of the Government of Southern Sudan and Wani Iga, Speaker of Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly to Ahmed Surur.

The head of Mission invited Ahmed Fathy Surur to visit Southern Sudan, and said that Southern Sudan’s toddler Legislative Assembly needs to benefit from Egypt’s Parliamentary experiences and stressed the importance of having bilateral relationships between the two parliaments.

The two men discussed variety of issues and the development in southern Sudan. Surur invited Makuet to address the Arab Affairs and Economic committees in the parliament once the Assembly resumes its duties.

The two sides also discussed the problems of the Sudanese refugees in Egypt, and those who are willing to return and participate in the development of the country, and Dr. Ahmed Surur expressed the desire of the Egyptian Government to assist in the voluntary repatriation.

(ST)