Sudan, South Sudan seek stablity, development

Top officials of Sudan and South Sudan on Wednesday expressed their will to maintain stablity and enhance development in the region while attending an international conference held here. Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Ahmed Karti reaffirmed his country's determination "for stability and to flourish" for both Sudan and South Sudan, adding that "we are committed to talk and talk and talk." South Sudanese Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Elias Nyamlell Wakoson, said his country needed foreign help, and hoped that the vast oil reserves in the region would be used for mutual benefit rather than become a stumbling block. "If we are good neighbors we can use it (the oil), if not, then not," Wakoson said. At the opening of the two-day Austro-Sudanese economic forum, Austrian Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger also spoke of an "economic dimension" to lasting peace in the oil-rich region. The two countries inked last month deals on cooperation, security and post-secession after long negotiations over many outstanding issues including oil sharing, border demarcation and affiliation of the disputed oil-rich area of Abyei.