Ethiopia says border row with Sudan getting due attention

April 1, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin said says border row with Sudan getting due attention, mainly during the past six months.

Seyoum said the joint border commission set up to resolve border disputes between the two countries has been discharging its duties for the past three years. He said “due attention has been attached to the issue particularly for the past six months”.

A report by the legislature of the border state of Gedaref indicated “a growing Ethiopian presence on the border strip and intensified farming and settlement activities inside Sudanese territories by Ethiopians who are backed by the Ethiopian authorities.”

Presenting six-month performance report to Foreign, Defense and Security Affairs standing panel with the parliament on Friday 31 March, Seyoum said is cementing encouraging relations with Djibouti, Sudan and Kenya in a bid to achieve ongoing development effort.

He said the telecommunication connections between Ethiopia and Sudan facilitated peoples to peoples and trade relations between the two countries, the state-run ENA reported.

Preliminary study has been launched to connect the two countries with energy and electric power, h said, adding that such connection would enhance economic ties of the countries.

Similarly, preliminary study was completed to upgrade the 500-km gravel road via Kenya to asphalt in a bid to foster relations with Kenya, Seyoum said.

According to the minister, infrastructure link with Djibouti is also being enhanced.

The situation in Somalia is gradually becoming promising, he said, adding that Ethiopia has been hailed as one of the countries that have worked resolutely to stability of Somalia.

(ST)