Responding to the visit of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs to Khartoum in February 2016, the Sudanese Council for Foreign Affairs paid a visit to Cairo during the period (28^th – 30 ) November 2016.The program of the visit included sessions of discussion with The Egyptian Council for Foreign affairs, The African Studies Unit at Al Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, and The Institute for Research and African Studies at Cairo University. The Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs and the Sudanese Council for Foreign Affairs were received by His Excellency Sameh Shokri, Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Helmi Al Namnam, Minister of Culture, and Ahmad Abou Al-Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States; all in the presence of the Sudanese Ambassador in Cairo.

The visit was carried out in an atmosphere of friendship, cordiality, frankness and transparency in dealing with the issues raised for the discussion. On top of these issues were the political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of the Egyptian-Sudanese bilateral relations. Additionally, the various aspects of cooperation which would enable both countries to effectively confront all present and future challenges.

Participants in the discussions included expert members of the Council specialized in Arab and African affairs, among whom: Ambassador Dr. Mounir Zahran, the Chairman of the Council, Ambassador Abdel Raouf Al-Ridi, the Honorary Chairman of the Council, Ambassador Dr. Ezzat Saad, the Director of the Council, as well as Ambassadors Mohamed Assem Ibrahim,  Ihab Wahba, Hussein Al Kamel, Salah Halima, Marawan Badr, Mohamed Hegazi and others.

The two Councils emphasized the importance of the role played by Civil Society Associations in finding solutions and common grounds in a way that reinforces the bounds of bilateral cooperation from one side, and cooperation with all Arab and African countries on the other side. This way also encourages establishing common projects and conferences related to the domain of integration between the two countries in fields of agriculture, industry, small and medium projects and technology.

The two sides agreed to establish a Joint Working Group composed of the two Councils whose mission is to present and search for a comprehensive vision for the purpose of selecting the best course for developing bilateral relations in all fields, as well as finding solutions and alternatives to obstacles or barriers to the growth of those relations- in a strategic framework- to the level they deserve.

• The Working Group assignment is divided into two main tasks:

• Firstly: Reviewing the relevant circumstances of the obstacles that impede strengthening relations between the two countries, and presenting practical solutions capable of overcoming these obstacles.

• Secondly: Discussing ideas and visions in various fields of cooperation, as well as building up a strong partnership between the two countries and bringing up ideas to push this partnership forward and ahead.

His Excellency Minister Sameh Shoukri agreed to put this Working Group as well as its recommendations under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides expressed their wish that the Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs would also welcome the conclusions of this proposed Working Group.