Khartoum, Addis Ababa for close cooperation

Ethiopia and Sudan have agreed to improve their bilateral relations following a period of tensions that lasted for four years.

The Ethiopian government said on Sunday that the talks, which were held in Addis Ababa for two days between Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and Ethiopian officials, were held in an atmosphere of "historical" friendship between the two countries.

A joint statement released following al-Bashir's visit to Addis Ababa on Friday said that Ethiopia has agreed to establish closer relations after diplomatic relations between the two countries witnessed a "critical period."

The joint statement said the two sides agreed to identify their stances to settle problems the African Horn suffers, according to the charter of the Organization of African Unity and UN resolutions, noting the importance of taking tough measures in case of an attack on the sovereignty of any other country.

The two sides exchanged views over revitalizing the activities of the joint ministerial committee and agreed to take the necessary measures for the next meeting in February 2000 as well as to develop trade relations.

The two sides discussed current conditions in Somalia and praised the new initiative proposed in this regard by the president of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, and stressed that they will work to find a peaceful solution to the Somali crisis.