Efforts to normalize Egyptian-Sudanese relations succeeding

Sudan's first vice president, Al-Zubier Saleh, yesterday stressed the importance of the ongoing efforts to return his country's relations with Egypt to normal.

"The visit by Egyptian and Sudanese delegations revitalized the relations between the two countries. Preparations are underway to bring their ties back to normal. These efforts will culminate in the visit by Sudan's president (Omar Bashir) to Egypt," he told the independent Akhbar El-Yom newspaper, Al-Ahram daily reported.

Egypt's presidential advisor for political affairs, Osama El-Baz, on Tuesday underlined the importance of developing historical relations between Sudan and Egypt. In press statement, El-Baz said: "The people of Sudan are the twins of the people of Egypt."

Meanwhile, Sudanese Trade Minister Othman Ibrahim on Tuesday said that Sudan and Egypt will discuss in Cairo on January, 13 means of reviving the trade accord which was suspended since 1992.

In a statement to reporters the Sudanese minister, who will lead the Sudanese delegation to the talks, said the two sides will discuss the possibility of bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade and investment.

The Sudanese authorities are also preparing to resume river navigation, suspended since the end of 1994, between the cities of Wadi Halma in Sudan and Aswan in Egypt. Commodity transport via river is expected to start on January 15 and passenger transport in February.