Dr. Abdel Mahmoud Abdel Halim, ambassador of Sudan in Cairo, said that the coming period will witness an Egyptian-Sudanese initiative to resolve the outstanding issues between the two countries and establish relations based on mutual respect and common interests both regionally and internationally.
He said in an interview with the Egyptian media on Thursday at the Sudanese embassy in Cairo, that his return from Khartoum two months after the decision to summon him does not mean the end of the outstanding problems between the two countries, but it marks the starting point towards a resolution during the coming period.
He explained that the Addis Ababa meeting between Presidents Bashir and President al-Sisi was very important and laid clear foundations for the launch of bilateral relations based on transparency, respect and support based on common interests.
The meeting led to the formation of the quartet of foreign ministers and heads of intelligence in both countries, to sort out political, diplomatic and security concerns.
Immediate action
The Sudanese ambassador said that this permanent committee will take care of all the agreements that arise and follow up on solutions to the concerns of both countries.
He pointed out that he will begin an immediate action plan in Cairo with the concerned parties to follow up what was agreed upon with the Quartet committee.
He said that the meeting of Sudanese Foreign Ministers Ibrahim Ghandour and Egyptian Sameh Shukri on the sidelines of the meetings of the Arab League was part of the follow-up steps.
The Ambassador of Sudan in Cairo stressed that the burden of developing and maintaining relations is not only official, but it has to involve all institutions of civil society in both countries away from political differences.
Joint military force
On the proposals made by Sudan on the outstanding issues between the two countries, the Sudanese ambassador explained that Sudan put forward the option of negotiation or arbitration regarding the dispute on the Triangle of Halaib.
He also renewed his proposal to establish a joint military force to secure the border, similar to what exists between Sudan and Chad and other countries, which will be considered by the joint technical security committees during the coming period.
He said that the two sides renewed their intentions to move forward in consolidating these relations and holding all the bilateral committees, according to an arrangement to be agreed upon in the coming short term -including the joint high committee headed by the two presidents in Khartoum, after the presidential elections in Egypt and before the end of this year.
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