Sudan thanked Egypt Saturday, July 7, for its help in reaching peace and maintaining Sudanese unity during talks on bilateral cooperation in Khartoum. "The bond between the two countries is so firm that it can withstand any tests," Sudanese First Vice-President Ali Osman Taha said at the opening session of the higher Sudanese-Egyptian committee in Khartoum.
Taha, who is leading the Sudanese side in the higher committee, called upon Egypt and Libya to make arrangements to implement an initiative being jointly sponsored by the two countries for reaching peace and reconciliation in Sudan.
The higher committee is scheduled to discuss economic and commercial cooperation. Taha said the two countries' resources could fulfill the economic interests and food security in Sudan and Egypt "through an integrated agricultural and commercial strategy."
For his part, Egyptian Prime Miister Atef Obaid, who arrived here Saturday, said: "Egypt has been and will continue to be a faithful brother, partner and supporter of the Sudanese people."
He is heading a delegation of five mainly economics and trade ministers, along with other senior officials and businessmen. Obaid said it was in the interests of both countries to increase the production of crops to "ensure availability of food to both of them."
"The Sudan possesses tremendous resources and Egypt is capable of taking in the excess of the Sudanese needs," said Obaid, pledging Egyptian airports and ports would be open to Sudanese imports.
The two sides will hold a closing round of talks Sunday before Obaid and his delegation leave back home― (AFP, Khartoum)
© Agence France Presse 2001
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
