KHARTOUM, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee John Kerry on Wednesday said that a successful referendum in south Sudan would be the precursor to a stronger new relationship between Sudan, the United States and other countries.

"We look forward to a successful referendum which is the precursor to a stronger new relationship with the United States and other countries," Kerry told reporters after talks with Sudanese Presidential Adviser Ghazi Salahuddin in Khartoum.

"I think we are in the positive course, and it is important to try to stay in the course and focus on the positive benefits that will come to Sudan, north and south, and its entire people," he added.

Sudanese Presidential Adviser Ghazi Salahuddin, however, downplayed the U.S. senator's pledges, saying that "the United States renews its commitments every time, and we, on our part, welcome these commitments, but they will be judged by the practical steps done."

He added that Kerry's visit aimed at keeping up with the arrangements for the south Sudan referendum and making sure that it would be conducted as scheduled and lead to the aspired results.

Kerry arrived in Khartoum on Tuesday for a week-long visit to follow the progress of the south Sudan referendum slated for Jan. 9.