Egypt to develop relations with Ethiopia

CAIRO, Mar 07, 2004 (ENA/MENA) — Egypt is desirous to work together with Ethiopia, particularly in the area of investment, trade and water resources development.

Egyptian officials told the visiting Ethiopian delegation presided over by Haile Kiros, the head of the Foreign, Defence and Security Standing Committee with the Ethiopian Parliament that their country wants to strengthen its relations with Ethiopia for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

During his meeting with Deputy Premier and Agriculture Minister Yusuf Wali, Kiros said Ethiopia is keen on developing relations with Egypt in the agricultural, land reclamation, livestock, water resources and irrigation domains.

Wali said President Husni Mubarak is keen on following up cooperation projects between Egypt and Nile-basin countries.

Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister Yusuf Wali mentioned areas of Egypt’s experience in which Ethiopia could draw lesson. He told the Ethiopian delegation that Egypt had provided training for 149 Ethiopian students in the field of agriculture.

Minister of State of Foreign Affairs of Egypt Fayizah Muhammad Abu-al-Naja stressed that the two countries need to create a common understanding aimed at further enhancing the cooperation between the two countries.

The cooperation of the two countries, particularly in implementing [the] Eastern Nile Basin Initiative is an indicator that the two countries were desirous to work together, he said. He also spoke of the support the Egyptian government was extending to the initiative.

Water and Irrigation Minister of Egypt Mahmud Abu-Zayd stressed the need that the two countries should work hard to consolidate the relations between the two countries for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.