The Minister of Interior, who is visiting Khartoum, says Sudan and South Sudan must expedite the implementation of the Cooperation Agreement.

In September 2012, the two countries signed the deal in Addis Ababa on post-independence issues.

There were outstanding issues that were not implemented during the six-year interim period before South Sudan gained its independence in July 2011.

Minister Aleu Ayeny Aleu met with the Sudanese First Vice President, Bakri Hassan Saleh, yesterday, and they discussed means of implementing the agreement.

Speaking on Sudan Television this morning, Mr. Aleu said if the two governments implement the Cooperation Agreement, it will boost bilateral relations between the two countries.

“What we have discussed is the importance of implementing the Cooperation Agreement. It’s important for the citizens of the two countries,” he said.

We must expedite the implementation of this agreement.”

Mr. Aleu is accompanied to Khartoum by the Director-General for Immigration and passport, Agustino Madut Parek, and some businesspeople from South Sudan.