President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan said Tuesday that Egypt is considered as a brotherly state for South Sudan.

“We will never forget Cairo’s stances and support for South Sudan, especially with our students who study at Egypt’s universities,” Mayardit told Egypt’s Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel Aal in Juba.

On Monday, Abdel Aal arrived in Juba on a five-day official visit to discuss means of promoting South Sudan's peace and stability. During the visit, Abdel Aal is scheduled to meet with senior South Sudanese officials, topped by President Mayardit. He will also hold talks with South Sudan's parliament speaker on means of fostering parliamentary ties.

Mayardit expressed his happiness to meet with Abdel Aal, asking him to deliver his warm regards to “his brother”, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi. He added that this visit is considered a “positive backing message for his country”.

South Sudan’s president also praised the Egyptians capabilities, adding that he expects increasing the number of Egyptian companies in his country’s market during the coming period when everything is secure and stabilized in South Sudan.

For his part, Abdel Aal affirmed Egypt's Keenness on South Sudan’s peace and stability. He added that Cairo will provide all possible support to boost Juba’s development. He asserted that Egypt’s Parliament will cooperate with its South Sudanese counterpart to exchange experiences.

Abdel Aal also delivered Sisi’s regards to Mayardit at the beginning of their meeting, assuring that Egypt is prioritizing South Sudan’s peace talks to bring “permanent and comprehensive peace to the country”.