President El-Sisi Holds Bilateral Talks with South Sudanese President

President El-Sisi held bilateral talks with the President of South Sudan in the Republican Palace. The talks were followed by expanded session of talks in the presence of the delegations of both nations. President Salva Kiir welcomed President El-Sisi in Juba, describing his visit as historic because it is the first of its kind since the independence of South Sudan.
President Salva Kiir expressed his country’s appreciation for the close cooperation with Egypt that reflects the human and cultural heritage connecting both countries. His Excellency also praised the Egyptian sincere and loyal efforts to contribute to achieving stability and peace in South Sudan to provide all means of support and humanitarian assistance.
President Kiir also stressed the presence of broad prospects for cooperation between both brotherly nations in various fields, especially the economic field. In this regard, he praised the activities of Egyptian companies in Juba and their contributions to development. His Excellency also expressed his country’s aspiration to increase the activities of the Egyptian private sector in South Sudan and his country’s keenness to provide all means of facilities and create a favorable climate. He stressed his appreciation for the technical support and the human cadres development training programs Egypt has been providing throughout the previous years in various civilian and military fields, which reflect the depth of the relations between both countries.
The Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency also stated that President El-Sisi expressed his pleasure to visit South Sudan for the first time. He stressed that this visit is a continuation of the special relations binding both brotherly nations at the official and popular levels.
President El-Sisi also stressed Egypt keenness to share the Egyptian expertise and provide technical support and programs to build and develop human cadres in South Sudan in various sectors. He also underlined the importance of promoting bilateral cooperation and enhancing Egyptian support for the development efforts in South Sudan, especially with the presence of broad prospects to develop the economic and trade relations between both nations and also cooperation in the fields of agriculture, irrigation, infrastructure and energy.
The Spokesman also added that the talks saw a discussion regarding the cooperation between Egypt and South Sudan. They expressed their satisfaction regarding current level of cooperation and coordination between both countries. They stressed that they support the interests of both brotherly nations through making the utmost use of all available opportunities and increasing the visits of senior officials of both countries.
As for the current situation in South Sudan, President Kiir showcased the developments of the implementation of the peace agreement in the country. In this context, President Kiir praised the Egyptian moves in various international and regional forums to explain the nature of the challenges facing South Sudan. He also stressed the importance of supporting stability and national reconciliation while urging the international community on fulfilling their pledges and commitments in regards of South Sudan.
On the other hand, President El-Sisi stressed the full and unlimited support of Egypt for the efforts of South Sudan government in achieving peace and stability in the country as an extension of the Egyptian national security. His Excellency pointed to the importance of building on the impetus on the political arena in South Sudan and that all parties should have the needed will in order to continue implementing the obligations of the peace agreement.
The most important issues on the regional area, especially both the Nile Basin and the Horn of Africa regions were also discussed. The talks reflected mutual understanding regarding how to deal with these files, in order to enhance the African capabilities to respond to the challenges facing the entire continent. It was also agreed on intensifying the periodicity of holding bilateral meetings between the senior officials from both countries. In this regard, President El-Sisi praised the mediation efforts of President Kiir between the government of the Republic of Sudan and the revolutionary factions that had been a success since the Juba Peace Agreement was signed by both parties last October.
Both presidents discussed the Nile water issue, the latest development regarding the negotiation of the Renaissance Dam. Both parties agreed on the importance of reaching a legal and balanced binding agreement regarding the filling and operation of the dam, while enhancing the relation with the Nile Basin countries in a manner that achieves the common interests of all parties without causing harm to any party.