Ethiopia, Egypt reaffirm commitment to regional peace

By Tesfa Alem Tekle

April 3, 2010 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopia and Egypt have expressed their commitment to bring lasting solution to troubles in the volatile East African region as the two countries conclude their third Ethiopia-Egyptian Joint Ministerial Commission and Senior Officials Meeting here in Addis Ababa.

According to the state Radio and Television agency, both sides in their meeting held this week, signed a number of cooperation agreements and Memorandum of Understanding in various sectors that further consolidate the bilateral ties and deepen cooperation for the benefits of the two friendly peoples and countries.

The countries discussed and exchanged views on the current regional political and security issues in particular on the situation in Somalia and the Sudan.

Ethiopian foreign minister Seyoum Mesfin at the occasion said that, his country, Ethiopia and Egypt will remain the leading partners in the region and in the whole Africa to ensure peace and stability as well as economic cooperation.

As the joint communiqué stated, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of the agreement recently signed between the Transitional Government of Somali (TFG) and Ahlu Sunna Waljammaa, a moderate militia group battling Somali extremist forces with suspected links to Al-Queda, the Al-Shebab.

They also stressed the immediate need for focused and concerted action by the international community to support the TFG and its institutions.

They noted that the Djibouti Peace Process is the only viable option to bring lasting peace, security and stability in that country.

They also expressed their commitment to continue to support the efforts of the Sudanese parties in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Further he stressed the critical role that IGAD should play in ensuring the full and expeditious implementation of CPA.

Egypt appreciated the important leadership role of Ethiopia in IGAD and its current chairmanship.

Ethiopia also lauded Egypt’s role for its current chairmanship of Non Aligned Movement (NAM), the China-Africa Forum and African Ministerial Committee on Science and Technology (AMCOST) and assured of its support in these bodies.

Among others the joint ministerial meeting has signed agreement and cooperation in political, security, trade, technology, education, air service, media and communications, investment, economic development as well as social sectors.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said his government is committed to further consolidate the age along relations with Ethiopia.

He said the relations are not only confined with the Nile River but also cultural and religious.

The foreign minister said his government is working to enhance trade relations of the two countries by encouraging Egyptian investors to Ethiopia.

He said economic relations of the two countries have gained momentum and the joint commission encourages efforts of the two countries.

Seyuom said the trade volume exchange of the two countries has been growing by 20 percent.

He said the ever increased trade partnership projects with Egyptian investors are significantly boosting the economic relations of the two sisterly nations.

(ST)