Sudan, S. Africa vow closer economic relations

Sudan and South Africa called on Sunday here for reinforcing economic cooperation and partnership establishment.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma made the agreement in their talks in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.

The two leaders reaffirmed commitment to reinforcing economic relations by encouraging both countries' private and public enterprises to further involve themselves in establishing partnerships to become a model for South-South cooperation.

Al-Bashir described Zuma's visit to Sudan as "fruitful," saying that "we have agreed to promote cooperation, implement all previous agreements and upgrade the joint ministerial committee."

For his part, Zuma said "we talked about many issues, including the fact that, as African countries, we must be totally independent and take our decisions about our destiny."

The two sides issued a joint communique, calling on all parties involved in the conflict in South Sudan to show leadership and responsibility to bring an end to the conflict.

The two leaders also reaffirmed their support to the UN and the African Union as important institutions of consolidation for peace maintenance of regional and international security, according to the communique. Endit