A high delegation from Finland headed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs visited Juba on Monday to assess areas of support in South Sudan.
Finn Foreign Minister Erkki Sakari Tuomioja told the press that South Sudan needed support from the international community as a young country, Bakhita Radio reported.He said Finland was ready to support the development of the country.
Mr Toumioja added that he and Minister Nhial Deng Nhial discussed South Sudan’s relations with Sudan and other neighbours.
He said regional cooperation was the only way for the development of a country.
Mr Toumioja added that Finland was supporting several Finnish NGOs in South Sudan.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Nhial Deng Nhial said Finland was one of the countries that stood with South Sudan during the peace negotiations that led to the independence of the country.
He said he updated the delegation on the current political situation between South Sudan and Sudan.
Mr Nhial added that Finland worked on the context of European Union to normalise the relations between South Sudan and Sudan.
The Finn minister said his government is giving six million Euros Ð some 30 million South Sudanese Pounds Ð every year to Finnish NGOs operating in South Sudan and he wants to strengthen cooperation the water and sanitation sector.