President El-Sisi Meets with President of the Transitional Sovereign Council at His Paris Residence

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met this evening in the French capital, Paris, with President of the Transitional Sovereign Council (TSC) General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan.

The Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency stated that the President praised the strong and long-standing brotherly relations between Egypt and Sudan and the advanced level they reached at various levels during the recent period. The President expressed Egypt's aspiration to deepen and strengthen already-robust relations in a way that contributes to achieving the interests of the two brotherly countries and peoples, especially at the security, military, economic and trade levels.

In this context, the President affirmed Egypt's keenness to participate in the International Conference to Support the Sudanese Transition in a way that helps achieve political, security and economic stability in Sudan. This is encouraged by Egypt's full support for Sudan in all fields and the close link between the Egyptian and Sudanese national security as well as the historical ties uniting the people of the Nile Valley.

The President also indicated that Egypt is committed to making every effort to support the steps taken by the Sudanese government to achieve economic stability, discharge Sudan of its accumulated debts and reduce its financing burdens.

Egypt will participate in the international initiative for Sudan’s debt relief by the use of Egypt's share in the International Monetary Fund to pay off doubtful debts. His Excellency praised, in this context, the courageous steps that Sudan is taking in the direction of the economic structural reform. This reflects a real political will to make the transitional phase successful. The President affirmed Egypt's readiness to transfer the Egyptian experience in economic reform and train Sudanese cadres.

For his part, the President of the TSC expressed Sudan's deep appreciation for Egypt's efforts under the leadership of President El-Sisi to support Sudan during this transitional phase, which was embodied in the President's keenness to personally participate in the current Paris Conference to support Sudan’s transition, which consolidates the strong, extended ties binding the two countries.

President of the TSC Al-Burhan praised, in this respect, the mutual efforts to improve joint cooperation between the two countries and enhance the unlimited Egyptian support through various forums to preserve the safety and stability of Sudan.

Gen Al-Burhan affirmed that there are prospects for developing joint cooperation between the two friendly countries and Sudan’s keenness to provide a supportive environment in various strategic development areas. The Sudanese government also relies on Egypt’s support for Sudan’s efforts to bring down and reschedule foreign debts.

Moreover, cooperation between the two countries will facilitate the transfer of Egypt’s inspiring experience in economic reform, training Sudanese cadres, and providing assistance in overcoming challenges, hence reflecting the depth of relations between the two countries, President of the TSC asserted.

The Egyptian and Sudanese bilateral cooperation was discussed during the meeting in which the two parties affirmed their satisfaction of the level of coordination between the two counties, especially with the intensive exchange of political visits during the recent period.

The two sides agreed on the importance of strengthening economic relations and boosting bilateral trade to a level that matches the existing momentum in bilateral relations. This was especially demonstrated in the intensified joint military cooperation showcased in the joint drills, dubbed “The Nile Eagles 2”, held at the Merowe air base, thus reflecting the two brotherly countries’ firm belief that their national security is inseparable.

During the meeting, the latest developments of the regional issues of mutual interest were presented, including the situation at the Sudanese-Ethiopian borders and the developments related to a number of crises in some regional countries. In this context, an agreement was reached on continuing intense consultation and mutual coordination for the common interest of the two brotherly countries and peoples.

Visions were exchanged on the latest developments of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). It was confirmed that the water issue, a matter of national security, is of paramount importance for the Egyptian and Sudanese people. Therefore, the two countries adhered to reaching a fair and binding legal agreement for the process of the filling and operation of the dam in a way that achieves the common interests of all parties.