Ethiopia, Sudan Regional officials discuss on common interest

By Tesfa-alem Tekle

March 28, 2009 (HUMERA) – Officials from the Northern Tigray region’s western zone have hold meeting with their counterpart from the neighboring Sudan’s Gedarif region on issues of mutual concern.

During the two-day meeting in Humera town, regional officials of both countries have talked on the existing cooperation and on ways of further promoting multi-lateral ties among the bordering regions in particular and between the two states in general.

According to officials who attended the meeting both sides will work to bring strong collaboration on areas of trade culture, controlling communicable human and animal dieses and environmental protection as well.

Regional officials of the two states hold regular meetings every three months. Such meetings have further strengthened relations and brought mutual benefit to the brotherly people living along the common border.

The strong political and socio-economic relations between Ethiopia and Sudan have contributed a lot in forging bond between bordering regions of the two countries. Official from Gedarif region said.

There is also a strong regional cooperation between Ethiopia’s Benshanguel-Gumuz state and Sudan’s Blue Nile state in ensuring security situation along the common border.

Few years ago there were rampant conflicts raised over grazing lands, robbery and illegal arms smuggling. But this has sharply declined after both regions took joint efforts and security measures to curb these crimes.

There is also a joint monitoring system established to solve to some minor problems that could arise along the border.

(ST)