Sudanese Foreign Minister Lam Akol said Thursday that relations between Sudan and Eritrea are in steady progress.

In a press conference, Akol referred to a recent visit to Sudan by an Eritrean delegation, terming the visit as successful.

"The Eritrean visiting delegation agreed with the Sudanese officials to stop launching smear campaigns against each other to create a peaceful atmosphere conducive to handling the remaining issues," said the minister.

He said one objective of his ministry in the national unity government is to improve relations with neighboring countries, including Eritrea.

Sudan has long blamed Eritrea for backing the Eastern Front rebels, who are fighting against the Sudanese government for a bigger share of power and wealth in Africa's largest country.

However, both Libyan and US governments reported they had found no Eritrean troops on the Sudanese soil.

When asked about the anti-Eritrean government forces hosted in Sudan, the minister said Sudan, under the new type of relations with Eritrea, will treat them as refugees after they are disarmed and promise not to launch any attacks against Eritrea from Sudanese lands.

Source: Xinhua