Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed an agreement to respect the sovereignty of the other and conclude a peace project by May 2.
The agreement was signed by foreign ministers from the two countries in Washington, with American Secretary of State Marco Rubio also present at the ceremony on Friday.
Hundreds of thousands of civilians have been moved in recent months while the M23 rebels supported by Rwanda have seized sections of territory rich in minerals in eastern Dr. Congo.
After losing the territory, the government of Kinshasa turned to the United States to obtain aid in exchange for minerals.
Relations were so poor between Dr. Congo and Rwanda that the meeting in Washington and a promise to resolve disputes through dialogue is a sign of progress.
The text of the agreement indicates that the two parties are now expecting significant investments facilities by the United States government and the private sector.
Despite the talks, the fighting would extend on Friday in the province of northern Kivu.
Earlier this week, Dr. Congo and the M23 group said they were attached to peace, expressing the hope that a permanent cease-fire could be reached.
Dr. Congo officials say that some 7,000 people have been killed there since January.
The conflict of several decades has been intensified since the beginning of the year, when M23 staged an unprecedented offensive, striking Goma and Bukavu – the two largest cities in the East Congo – and aroused the fears of a wider regional war.
Dr. Congo accuses Rwanda of having armed M23 and sending troops to support the rebels in the conflict.
Despite the statements of the UN and the United States, Rwanda has denied supporting the M23.
