Egyptian FM in South Sudan for bilateral talks
May 6, 2015 (JUBA) – The Egyptian foreign affairs minister, Sameh Hassan Shoukry arrived in South Sudan for bi-lateral talks, likely to focus on security and development.
“We are interested in providing every support and building the capacity of South Sudanese in areas of economic development as well as maintaining security and territorial integrity of South Sudan,” said Egyptian prime minister, who was welcomed on arrival by his South Sudan counterpart, Barnaba Marial Benjamin on Wednesday.
He did not specifically disclose what role the North African country would play in helping South Sudan end its ongoing conflict with the armed opposition faction.
On his part, the South Sudanese foreign minister said the visit will mainly focus on building bi-lateral ties between the two countries.
“We welcome Egypt’s minister for foreign affairs and his colleague, the minister of irrigation to South Sudan for a visit that signifies the strong relationship between the two countries,” said Marial.
According to a statement from the presidency, Shoukry will Thursday hold a closed-door meeting with president Kiir.
Mawien Makol, the spokesperson for the foreign ministry, said the visit showed South Sudan government’s commitment to strong relations with influential regional countries.
(ST)