Kiir calls for increase in bilateral ties with Russia

By Ngor Arol Garang

December 7, 2010 (JUBA) – General Salva Kiir Mayardit, First Vice President of the Republic of Sudan and a president of the semi autonomous regional government of south Sudan on Monday evening received the Russian Envoy to Sudan, Michael Margilov, at his residence in Khartoum and hailed the growing co-operation between Sudan and federal government of Russia in the search for solutions to various challenges facing the country.

He called for more economic co-operation between the two countries and said his party; the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) greatly appreciates the cordial relations which continue to exist between the two countries.

“Our people and the two governments of Sudan and Russia have continued to co-operate and have adopted similar positions on various issues of mutual interest and concern both in bilateral and multinational forums,” said president Kiir in a press release on Tuesday.

The second most powerful politician in Sudan’s government of national unity, formed after a 2005 peace deal, said his party, the SPLM, and the people of South Sudan have been at the forefront seeking solutions to conflicts and political crises not only in the South but Sudan as a whole.

He also thanked Russia for the role it has continued to play in peace-keeping and mediation efforts in the country. On the economic front, the President noted that several Russian companies and business people are currently involved in other private sectors such as agriculture, transport, tourism, trade and other industries in South Sudan.

“The government and people of Sudan in general and South Sudanese in particular greatly appreciate the economic relations between our two countries. Russia remains Sudan’s single largest trading partner.

“In addition, our two countries have established strong ties and co-operation under which bilateral co-operation programmes are carried out,” President Kiir said.

Kiir is in the Sudanese national capital of Khartoum for a three day meeting of Sudan’s tripartite presidency over the pending issues dominated of the contested region of Abyei, border demarcation between north and south and post referendum arrangements.

With the south is expected to vote to secede from the north in January the SPLM and Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party have so far failed to agree on how to distribute Sudan’s national debts, assets and water and oil resources. The citizenship status of northern Sudanese in the south and southern Sudanese in the north is still to be agreed.

He urged officials from the Russian and Sudanese governments to further explore the viability of the intensifying co-operation between the two countries in various fields including agriculture, manufacturing, education and health.

The President of the semi autonomous region of south Sudan also challenged the Russian government to promote private sector co-operation through joint venture projects and said his government acknowledges the warm and cordial relations which exist between Sudan and Russia, noting that the two countries have remained united over the years through political and economical ties.

Speaking to Sudan Tribune from Khartoum, one of Kiir’s said presidential aides, who declined to named, described the meeting as productive.

“The president held a very successful meeting this evening with Russian envoy to Sudan. They discussed a lot of things but focused on referendum and how the Russian government can help bring peace to Darfur and elsewhere in the country,” said the aide.

The official said the discussion also reviewed latest political developments in Sudan regarding plans of the parties to the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, particularly the government of South Sudan and the Government of National Unity relating to the conduct of the referendum and implementation of the peace agreement in general.

In the official press release, Margilov called on the two parties of the peace deal to respect their pledges and to fully implement the agreement including holding the southern referendum on independence on time.

The diplomat also called on the two governments to create enabling environment for all people of South Sudan to vote in the upcoming referendum with full freedom, transparency and in a democratic manner.

Margilov also affirmed the importance of enabling the observers and the civil society organizations to monitor all the stages of the referendum processes, adding the need for rule of law to be upheld.

(ST)