Sudan's minister of petroleum Mohammed Zayed Awad is in Juba today Wednesday for a one day meeting with his South Sudanese counterpart regarding the issue of oil transit fees.

South Sudan has requested a reduction to the roughly $24.50 paid per barrel to Sudan for use of northern pipelines to transport southern oil to market. Oil prices have dropped below $30 a barrel.

Speaking at Juba International Airport this morning, South Sudan petroleum minister Stephen Dhieu said the visit shows that the two sisterly countries are moving forward with friendly and strategic cooperation.

Dhieu said the two must work together in order to promote mutual economic, social, and political interests which would benefit the people of the two states.

Mohammad said that the visit comes as a directive from Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in order to strengthen bilateral relations. He said he believes today's meeting will bear fruit.

“We are happy to visit Juba today the capital of the Republic of South Sudan to continue our discussion particularly on oil, but most important one also on all the sectors whether economic or security," he said.

The two ministers are meeting at the New Sudan Palace hotel.

Photo: Oil ministers Stephen Dhieu and Mohammad Zayed Awad meet in Juba on 3 February 2016