ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the presidents of Sudan and South Sudan, two countries which were at the brink of all-out war last year, are to meet Friday in Ethiopia's capital.

Spokesman Dina Mufti said Thursday that Ethiopia is optimistic the meeting will advance stalled peace deals.

Sudan President Omar al-Bashir and South Sudan President Salva Kiir signed deals in September to restart the south's oil industry. South Sudan's oil flows through Sudan's pipelines, bringing in revenue for both countries. The south shut down its oil industry last year after accusing Sudan of stealing its oil. Disagreements on the implementation of the September deal persist.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and African Union mediators are expected to push the two leaders for a rapid implementation of the September deals.