Sudan and Italy held “good discussions” on bilateral cooperation: envoy
October 25, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Italy’s ambassador to Khartoum Fabrizio Lobasso said the Sudanese-Italian political consultations committee has held discussions on Sunday to resume bilateral talks between the two countries following a hiatus of more than ten years.
He disclosed that the two sides agreed to hold the second meeting of the committee after six months in Rome, adding they also agreed to send ten Sudanese diplomats for training at Italy’s foreign ministry next year.
The Italian envoy said that his country believes that Sudan could play a pivotal role in addressing human trafficking, stressing that his country has engaged in intensive cooperation with Sudan on this phenomenon since it had assumed the EU’s presidency.
He announced that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Sudanese and Italian ministries of interior regarding cooperation in training, border control and police training has been restored.
It is noteworthy that Sudan on Saturday announced its participation in the European Union summit with African countries on illegal immigration and human trafficking in Valletta Malta on 11 and 12 November.
For his part, the director of bilateral relations department at Sudan’s foreign ministry Dafa’alla al-Hag Ali told reporters that the meetings underscored the desire of the two countries to resume and enhance relations to achieve the joint interests.
He pointed they discussed all political, economic and cultural issues in order to promote bilateral ties as well as regional issues of common interest.
“The two delegations discussed Sudan’s role in achieving security and stability in South Sudan, Libya, Yemen and the Central African Republic besides the horn of Africa and cooperation to combat illegal immigration and human trafficking”, added the Sudanese diplomat
Ali pointed the Italian side promised to build the capacities of the Sudanese institutions working in combating human trafficking and illegal immigration, noting he briefed the Italian delegation on recent political developments particularly the national dialogue.
He pointed out that the two sides agreed to exchange scholarships and to organize a forum for the Sudanese and Italian universities besides activating cooperation in the various cultural domains.
The Sudanese diplomat further said they agreed to hold economic forums in Khartoum early next year as well as promoting cooperation between foreign ministries in the two countries in the field of training of diplomats.
He disclosed that the Sudanese side offered to provide Arabic language training for the Italian diplomats.
(ST)