KHARTOUM, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Sudan and South Sudan on Friday started a joint ministerial meeting in Juba, capital of South Sudan, in the presence of the two countries' presidents and a number of ministers from the two sides.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir arrived in Juba on Friday in his first visit to South Sudan since his participation in the celebrations of the south's independence in July 2011.

 

"The two sides will discuss issues relating to the cooperation agreement signed by the two countries," Mawien Makol, spokesman of South Sudan's ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation, told Xinhua by phone Friday.

"The talks would review the Abyei issue and means of finding a comprehensive settlement for it besides border demarcation, the economic issues, particularly the resumption of South Sudan's oil export via Sudan's territories and the status of the two countries ' citizens," he added.

He further stated that the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his southern Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir Mayardit would hold a summit following the ministerial meeting.

Makol reiterated South Sudan government and people's welcome of al-Bashir's visit to Juba, saying "we are expecting this visit to achieve positive results and institute for new atmospheres in the relationship between Khartoum and Juba."

The relations between Sudan and South Sudan have recently witnessed remarkable improvement after the twp signed on March 8 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a matrix deal to implement the security arrangements agreement and then started withdrawing their forces from the joint border to establish a safe demilitarized zone between them.

Abyei constitute the top outstanding issue which the two presidents are expected to discuss besides other border areas.