Relations restored between Eritrea, Sudan

The Sudanese embassy in the Eritrea's capital said in a statement, that both Khartoum and Asmara have agreed to resume diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The statement added that the "two neighboring African states have agreed to open crossing points along their joint borders." The statement said, "A branch committee will meet on January 21 in Kasala (Sudan) to discuss practical measures to reopen the borders and their two embassies in each of the two countries' capitals."

Also signed was a bilateral agreement on air transport that permits the Sudanese and Eritrean airline companies to resume regular air flights between the two countries.

Relations between Khartoum and Asmara have been intensified for years because of the backing by Eritrea for the Sudanese opposition. The relations between the two countries are witnessing great improvement after discharging of Hassan El-Turabi, head of the Sudanese parliament.