Ethiopian, Sudanese PMs agree to deepen ties across various sectors

ADDIS ABABA: October 11 (EI) – Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok on Friday agreed to further deepen cooperation across various bilateral, regional and international cooperation areas.

Leaders of the two East African countries agreed to deepen ties during their meeting on Friday in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa as part of Hamdok’s official visit to Ethiopia.

The Ethiopian and Sudanese prime ministers “had fruitful discussion on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest of the two countries,” according to a joint communique that was issued after the two leaders’ meeting on Friday.

“The two leaders agreed to further consolidate the multifaceted cooperation that exists between the two sisterly countries to the next level,” the joint communique read.

As part of Hamdok’s official visit to Ethiopia, ministers from the two neighboring countries also held discussions that aimed to spur cooperation across various areas.

“Following the bilateral discussions led by the two leaders, the respective ministers, namely Foreign Affairs, Defense, Energy and Mining, Industry and Trade, and Intelligent Services of the two countries engaged in direct consultations on fostering mutual cooperation in their respective areas,” the joint communique read.

The Ethiopian and Sudanese high-level officials also “emphasized the importance of further strengthening the economic cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the area of agriculture and energy.”

Abiy also during the meeting reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to support Sudan’s efforts in delisting the African country from the U.S. list of countries “sponsoring terrorism.”

“Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reaffirmed his commitment to work with the government of Sudan in delisting Sudan from the U.S. list of countries sponsoring terrorism and lifting the sanctions,” the joint communique read.

Hamdok, who sworn in as Sudan’s prime minister of Sudan in August this year, is in Ethiopia as part of his first ever official visit since he assume office.