Minister of Intelligence Eli Cohen on Monday led an official Israeli delegation to Sudan for the first time to discuss moving forward on a U.S.-brokered deal in October to normalize relations.
"I am confident this visit lays the foundations for many important collaborations, which will assist both Israel and Sudan as well as uphold security and stability in the region," Cohen said in a statement after returning to Israel.
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Minister of Intelligence Eli Cohen and Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, head of Sudan's ruling sovereign council, meeting in Sudan on Monday
The minister led a delegation that included representatives from the National Security Council met with Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, head of the ruling sovereign council, Sudanese Defense Minister Yassin Ibrahim as well as other senior officials.
He and his hosts discussed issues including economic cooperation and signed a first memorandum of understanding with Ibrahim on regional security and stability.
Members of the delegation also raised potential economic cooperation between the two countries with an emphasis on water, agriculture, renewable energy, health and aviation.
The Israelis explored the possibility of bringing water desalinization technology to Sudan.
According to government officials, the Sudanese outlined their intention to scrap their laws imposing bans on Israeli products and said they would amend legislation mandating prison terms for returning citizens, thus clearing the way for Sudanese nationals seeking asylum in Israel to be repatriated.
There was no immediate comment from Sudanese officials, but Israel said that a Sudanese government delegation is expected to visit Israel in the near future.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcing resumption of diplomatic relations with Sudan in October
Sudan joined the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco last year in agreeing to move toward normal relations with Israel. The new administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has said it wants to build on those deals.
Cohen, the first minister to head such a trip, said he met with Sudanese leaders and that the Israeli delegation discussed with their hosts a variety of diplomatic and security issues as well as the potential for economic cooperation.
First published: 07:26, 01.26.21