Foreign ministry denies annexation of Halayeb and Shalateen to Sudan

Tuesday 09-09-2014 02:18 PM
Foreign ministry denies annexation of Halayeb and Shalateen to Sudan

A celebration in Halayeb and Shalateen - Photo from Aswat Masriya

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CAIRO, Sept 9 (Aswat Masriya) – The Halayeb and Shalateen border regions are an indivisible part of Egypt's territories and their annexation to the brotherly state of Sudan is "not negotiable", said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Badr Abdelatty.

Abdelatty added to Aswat Masriya over the phone that Egypt and Sudan are seeking the formation of a trade integration area on the borders separating both states. He said that such an area would encompass Halayeb and Shalateen.

Sudan's National Elections Commission announced on Sunday it will begin demarcating voting districts by mid-September, in preparation for the 2015 elections. Sudanese news website Sudan Tribune reported that the commission will include the contentious area of Halayeb among its voting districts.

Abdelatty described the media reports as "unofficial", adding that they do not warrant an official response from Egypt.

Located on Egypt's southern borders, the Halayeb and Shalateen regions are inhabited by tribes with historic roots from Egypt and Sudan. 

Halayeb is considered Egypt's southern gate to the Red Sea. Its prime role is to provide customs services to those crossing over to the Sudanese borders.

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