Algeria, Ethiopia ink five cooperation agreements
April 17, 2017- The works of the 4th session of the Algerian-Ethiopian joint ministerial committee held Thursday in Algiers were crowned by five cooperation agreements, in which both expressed their commitment to giving a new impetus to bilateral relations.
These agreements were signed during a ceremony chaired by Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ramtane Lamamra and his Ethiopian counterpart Workneh Gebeyhu.
Three agreements relate to the fields of trade, communication, protection of vegetation and plant quarantine while two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) relate to livestock, fisheries and water resources
On this occasion, Lamamra "hailed the results achieved by this committee" and stressed that "the signing of these agreements is likely to give a new impetus to bilateral economic cooperation and raise partnership to the level of the particular political relations between Algeria and Ethiopia."
For Lamamra, this is a step that "will bring new prospects for strengthening partnership between the two countries and diversifying cooperation fields, like trade and railway.
In this connection, he stressed the importance of involving the private sector to achieve the goal set for this purpose, through the multiplication of exchanges between economic operators of both countries.
Besides, Lamamra announced the project to "open a new direct airline between the two countries by the end of 2017 with a view to boosting economic cooperation and bringing closer both peoples."
"Culture must also be an important component of bilateral relations through exchanges in this field," said Lamamra.
The foreign minister also highlighted "the convergence of views" between both countries, and pleaded for "an intensification of political dialogue" at the bilateral, continental and international levels.
"Thanks to both countries' political willingness and the instructions given by their presidents," bilateral relations will be further strengthened and the 5th joint committee in Addis Abeba will also be a new step in the consolidation of relations.
For his part, Gebeyhu expressed "satisfaction with the success of the 4th session of the joint ministerial committee as it was crowned by five cooperation agreements."
"The constructive talks we had were fruitful. They will allow us give a new impetus to bilateral relations in general and economic cooperation in particular."
The Ethiopian top diplomat also called to "seize the existing opportunity to move forward in this cooperation and raise the level of relations to the ambitions and means of both countries," expressing his "commitment to implementing the sealed agreements and achieving the set goals."
Besides, "the excellent political relations between Algeria and Ethiopia will contribute to the development of an excellent economic cooperation too," he affirmed.
"Both countries play an important role on the continental scene, mainly in the resolution of conflicts in Africa," he said.
Source: http://iccia.com/?q=mediacenter/news/18113/details/