KHARTOUM, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Sudan and South Sudan on Sunday agreed to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation, particularly in energy, oil, trade, investment and political affairs.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between Chairman of Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and a high-level South Sudanese delegation led by Tut Gatluak, presidential adviser on national security, who delivered a written message from South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit on enhancing bilateral ties.

Sudan's Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Muawiya Osman Khalid said in a statement that Al-Burhan had instructed relevant state institutions at ministerial and technical levels to engage with their South Sudanese counterparts to discuss issues of mutual interest, especially in key sectors including energy, oil, trade, the economy and political relations.

Khalid also praised the government and people of South Sudan for their support to Sudan amid the challenges facing the country.

South Sudan's Foreign Minister Monday Semaya Kumba told reporters after the meeting that the talks covered cooperation in the oil industry, trade and investment, and agreed that technical and bilateral delegations from both sides would hold joint meetings to address outstanding issues and advance future cooperation. Enditem