http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article50407
Juba — The South Sudanese government on Sunday a signed bi-lateral military cooperation with Egypt, less than a week after it reached a consensus on a similar matter with neigbouring Sudan, from which it suceeded in July 2011.
The new deal, according the state-owned SSTV, was signed following after a South Sudanese delegation led by defence minister, Kuol Manyang Juuk visted the Egyptian capital, Cairo.
Juuk was accompanied by his national security countepart, Gen. Mabuto Mamur Mate, the deputy director for military intelligence and South Sudan's ambassador to Egypt.
The defense minister is said to have held a meeting with the Egyptian President, Adil Mansour during which he delivered to the latter a "special message" from his South Sudanese counterpart, Salva Kiir.
He also extended his appreciation to Egypt for the cooperation and investments, which have contributed towards strengthening the existing ties between the two countries. During the meeting, Juuk reportedly assured the Egyptians of his country commitment to remain its significant partner in development for the mutual benefits and interests of citizens from both countries.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian president reportedly expressed optimism that South Sudan would, in the forthcoming periods, define strategic projects with visible effects for implementation.
Mansour is also said to have assured the visiting South Sudanese delegation his country's willingness to find new funding mechanisms for bilateral activities in the field of defence.
But while specific details of the military cooperation between the two nations remained unclear, military sources have told Sudan Tribune that the deal provides for cooperation on their armed forces on sharing expertise, training of the special forces, joint exercises, participation in seminars and search and rescues issues.
Received on Mon Mar 24 2014 - 13:51:54 EDT