Sudanese-Eritrean ties remain deeply rooted, says Afewerki
May 10, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The Eritrean president, Isaias Afewerki, has underscored that his country’s ties with Sudan are deep and strong and were reflected on several common interests which links the two countries.
“Our visit to Sudan was not intended for media consumption but for a work program in many issues which serve interests of both countries,” Afewerki said.
He asserted that practical steps were taken in order to implement programs which were agreed upon between the two sides.
Salih Abdalla, director of the Operation Department of Sudan’s Electricity Corporation, said that the they started implementation of the two presidents’ directives with regard to the electric linkage between the two countries.
The 45-kilometers electric line with a capacity of 66 kilovolt, will link Sudan’s eastern town of Kassala and Eriteria’s Teseney town.
The Eritrean president also toured the Khartoum refinery and the currency printing facility.
On Thursday, Sudan’s state minister at the foreign ministry, Obeid Allah Mohamed Obeid Allah, stated that the two sides discussed economic cooperation specially the electrical interconnection between the neighboring countries.
“The two sides discussed the importance of completing this project in the near future,” Obeid Allah said, adding that talks dealt with the possibility of providing Eritrea with oil derivatives.
The two sides, according to the state minister, further discussed efforts to control and secure the joint border.
Afewerki was seen off at Khartoum airport by Sudan’s First Vice-President, Bakri Hassan Salih, and several ministers and senior government officials.
Sudan, which in past proposed to reconcile Addis Ababa and Asmara and forge strong economic relations, holds regular meetings with officials from the two horn of Africa foes aiming to enhance bilateral cooperation on various fields.
(ST)