Sudan, Eritrea presidents vow to boost ties

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his Eritrean counterpart Isaias Afwerki on Monday vowed to work on strengthening bilateral relations. Al-Bashir and Afwerki held closed-door talks in Port-Sudan, the capital city of the Red Sea State. "The talks were constructive and honest. The two presidents discussed all issues that serve the relations between the two countries," Magid Osman, Sudan's ambassador to Eritrea, told reporters here following the talks. He added that the two leaders have agreed to coordinate stances regarding regional and international issues with the emphasis that each country has its independent policies and national positions. The talks also reviewed economic, political and social issues as well as the current issues at the Horn of Africa region, said the diplomat. Afwerki arrived in Sudan Sunday on a three-day visit and participated with al-Bashir in launching the 7th Tourism and Shopping Festival in Port-Sudan.