Sudan invites Ethiopia’s Zenawi to ACP conference

Nov 19, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Ethiopia would play its level best toward the success of the 4th Conference of the Africa-Caribbean-Pacific Countries to be opened on 7 Dec. 2006 in Khartoum, the Sudan.

Holding discussions with the Sudanese President, Omar el-Bashir’s Special advisor, Bona Malwal at the Prime Minister’s office, Meles said on Saturday 18 November Ethiopia would contribute its share for the success of the upcoming conference.

Malwal presented a message from el-Bashir to Meles which invites the premier to attend the conference.

Meles and Malwal held fruitful discussions on socio-economic relations of the two sisterly countries, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the discussion said.

After the discussions, the special advisor told journalists that Ethiopia and Sudan have established commendable neighborhood based on mutual interest.

The African, Caribbean and Pacific group was formed following appearance of concern about the North-South Dialogue and how developed countries can assist with the development aspects of the developing countries instead of the method adopted by individual European countries at that time.

Then the European countries decided at that time to combine their efforts in dealing with the question of development. And, so it grew from that what was led to a series of agreements between the EU and ACP, including Lome Convention I, Lome II, Lome III and Lome IV. They were replaced in 2000 by the Cotonou partnership agreement. Now it has a membership of 79 countries from Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific.

(ST)