Asmara — President Isaias Afwerki received and held talks last night with a Sudanese government delegation headed by Mr. Mni Arko Minawi, Sudanese Presidential Assistant.

In the meeting at the Denden Hall, the two sides conducted discussion focusing on the Darfur issue and that of Sudanese comprehensive peace.

The President stressed the significance of achieving a comprehensive peaceful solution to the Sudanese issue in general and that of Darfur in particular. In this regard, he underlined that despite the fact the issue requires the assistance of foreign parties; Sudanese issue should basically be resolved through the Sudanese themselves.

President Isaias further underscored the significance of normalizing the strained relations between Sudan and Chad, which has been directly interlinked with the Darfur issue and negatively influencing developments in Darfur, in bringing about comprehensive peaceful settlement to the Sudanese issue, especially that of Darfur.

Mr. Mni Arko Minawi on his part briefed the President on the situation in Darfur, the Darfur movements and the overall situation in the Sudan, as well as Sudanese-Chadian relations.

The Presidential Assistant expressed strong conviction that Eritrea and other neighboring countries would make positive contribution towards supporting the initiative taken by the Sudanese in resolving Sudanese issues and particularly that of Darfur.