TEXT-Sudan FM hails bilateral ties with Ethiopia, call for more cooperation
Dec 14, 2005 (KHARTOUM) — Following is text of Speech of the Sudanese Foreign Minister Lam Akol Ajawin, In the opening session of the 8th Ethio-Sudanese Joint Ministerial Meeting:-
Your Excellency Ato Seyoum Mesfin Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Genleman,
On behalf of the people and government of the Republic of the Sudan, and that of my own, let me welcome you to Khartoum, and wish you a productive visit and a pleasant and memorable stay.
Honourable Minister, It goes without saying that the upgrading of the Ethio-Sudanese Joint Ministerial Commission to a high level is a clear manifestation that our two leaders are determined to further enhance the excellent relations that exist between the two countries.
Since the inception of the Joint Ministerial Commission, we met seven times during which we concluded agreements of political, economic, social and cultural cooperation. We formulated programmes, and joint projects, and we agreed to set up technical committees to monitor the implementation of these programmes and joint projects.
In this connection we would like to reaffirm that we look with satisfaction to the implementation of many agreements especially in the areas of roads construction and in the field of energy. It is also gratifying to note that together we achieved a lot in the field of political cooperation. Nevertheless, more is needed from our two Foreign Ministers to follow up the implementation of agreements signed between us and further promote coordination among our embassies abroad and our delegations to regional and international meetings.
Honourable Ministers, An area that requires our special attention is that of common trade. Despite the fact that a preferential trade agreement was signed in 2002, we still see that the volume of trade the two countries does not reflect their potential capabilities and is far beyond our expectations. We are looking forward to achieve more cooperation and to consolidate our potentials, and we believe that businessmen organizations in both countries can play a great role towards that objective.
Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Joint Border Commission played an indispensable role in enhancing cooperation in the border regions between the two countries. In the seven sessions it held so far the commission was able to restore peace and security in the area as well as encouraging border trade among local communities. On the other hand the Joint Border Re-demarcation Commission, has exerted commendable efforts in performing its task, it conducted field visits, collected data, held regular meetings and formulated a project document for the re-demarcation.
Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen, For the last three days the experts from our two countries have been reviewing and assessing bilateral cooperation and they came up with clear and feasible recommendations that would soon be in front of us for adoption. Once again I wish you a happy stay in Khartoum and fruitful deliberations.
Thank you.