Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Tuesday hailed the good cooperation with his neighboring Sudan, saying that such cooperation has been directed toward ensuring mutual benefits.

At a high-level meeting of the joint Ethiopian-Sudanese commission, Meles said all the necessary instruments have been put in place to allow for even better cooperation between the two countries.

The current level of cooperation between the two countries has taken a new height, he said, adding that the two countries have been working towards the enhancement of ties in economic, social and political areas.

Describing Sudan as Ethiopia's highly valued partner, Meles said due attention has been attached to transboundary infrastructure development, particularly road links between the two neighboring nations.

He expressed satisfaction in the work, which he said, "was well done so far." "I have no doubt we should do more," he added. Commending Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir's commitment for the enhancement of bilateral cooperation, Meles said such would help ensure the mutual benefits of the two nations.

"It is our conviction that it is only mutual consideration that can ensure a bright future for all," said the Ethiopian prime minister. Sudanese President al-Bashir arrived here Tuesday morning to participate in talks of the joint Sudanese-Ethiopian commission.

The Ethiopia visit will be Bashir's sixth foreign trip since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against him on March 4 for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan's Darfur region. ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo accuses Bashir for his alleged role in what he called genocide in Darfur.

The chief prosecutor requested the warrant for the Sudanese president last July. The Sudanese president dismisses such allegations as a Western conspiracy. But Ethiopia says it will ignore the arrest warrant as it is not in the interest of peace and stability in Sudan. At present, Ethiopia, in coordination with the African Union (AU), has been lobbying the UN Security Council to delay the arrest of Bashir