President El-Sisi Receives Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received today Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan for Economic Affairs Dr. James Wani Igga, and the ministerial delegation accompanying him, in the presence Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Director of the General Intelligence Service Mr. Abbas Kamel, and the ministers of foreign affairs, water resources and irrigation, higher education and scientific research, international cooperation, agriculture and land reclamation, and trade and industry.

The Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency stated that the President asked to have his greetings conveyed to President Salva Kiir.

His Excellency expressed his appreciation for the close relations he has with the President of South Sudan; this was embodied in his visit to Juba last November.

President El-Sisi welcomed the first session of the joint higher committee between the two countries in Cairo.

This is an affirmation of both sides’ common interest in strengthening and advancing bilateral relations in various fields. These relations, in turn, would set an example for a strategic development partnership to follow among the Nile Basin countries.

The President also affirmed Egypt's determination to continue providing technical support to South Sudan at all levels, especially in the development fields, for it to benefit from Egypt's leading experience in advancing the development process in the sectors of agricultural production, irrigation, health, education and others.

It was also stressed that Egypt is keen to provide support to South Sudan at the economic level, in light of its economic integration process in a number of areas such as investment, trade exchange, energy, infrastructure and petroleum.

In this regard, His Excellency said that Egypt takes pride in “Made in Egypt” exhibition that was held in Juba. This exhibition, the first of its kind displaying products made in Egypt, establishes an active and effective trade base between the two countries.

This in addition to the establishment of a branch of Alexandria University in South Sudan.

The President also stressed Egypt's keenness to continue its endeavors at the regional and international levels to promote efforts aimed to achieve the sustainability of stability, peace and security in South Sudan, a mainstay of any development efforts.

For his part, Dr. Igga conveyed the greetings of President Salva Kiir to President El-Sisi, expressing his country's great appreciation for Egypt, its people and leadership. He praised the continuous development in the course of bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries, which represents a fundamental pillar of development, construction and progress in South Sudan.

Dr. Igga also expressed gratitude to the Egyptian government and people for providing humanitarian aid to the citizens of South Sudan, especially amid the recent crises that hit Juba- the floods, locust infestation, and coronavirus outbreak- and the difficult economic conditions. This aid reflects the strong ties between the two brotherly countries.

The Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan also presented the latest developments in the political situation in his country.

In this regard, he praised the role of Egypt and the efforts it makes in support of the stability of the situation in the region and in South Sudan.

These efforts are made within the framework of the historical ties that unite the two brotherly countries and peoples and Egypt's leading role at the regional level.

The Spokesman added that the meeting discussed ways to activate and develop bilateral cooperation frameworks between the two countries in various fields in the coming stage.

They also exchanged views on the developments of a number of regional files of common interest, especially the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. In this regard, President El-Sisi affirmed Egypt's firm stance: reaching a legally binding agreement on the rules of the filling and operation of the dam in a manner that meets the interests of all parties, thus development would be achieved and Egypt’s water security would be maintained.