KHARTOUM, December 08 -- Sudan and Eritrea agreed to raise diplomatic representation to the ambassadorial level immediately, Sudan's official SUNA news agency reported on Wednesday.

The two countries also agreed to make rapid arrangements for holding a presidential summit in Khartoum or Asmara.

This came from a joint statement issued by the two sides after the first meeting of the Sudanese-Eritrean Joint Committee.

According to the statement, the committee agreed to continue contact between the two countries on all domains and encourage national airlines and other private aviation companies to run direct air links between Khartoum and Asmara.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways on how to create an atmosphere conducive to joint missions and form proper mechanisms to implement what they agreed on, said the statement.

Earlier this week, Sudan and Eritrea started talks on opening their common border, closed in 2002 when Khartoum accused Eritrea of supporting Sudanese rebel groups including the former southern rebel group Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and eastern rebels. - xinhuanet