Ethiopian Informer
ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia and Somalia have vowed to strengthen cooperation for regional peace.
This came after Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Demeke Mekonen discussed with the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia, Balal Mohamed Osman, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Friday.
Their discussion, which was made In Lusaka, capital of Zambia on the margins of the 41st Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU), focused on bilateral issues and issues of peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the statement said.
Demeke, during the discussions, “expressed delight” that Somalia has held successful elections and formed its government.
He highlighted that the two countries should step up their efforts, particularly in the fight against terrorism, while noting the various areas in which the governments of the two countries should cooperate, according to the ministry.
Osman, on his part, stated that the country’s new administration has given peace the topmost priority and that it would continue to cooperate with Ethiopia in this regard.
He emphasized that the partnership of the two countries should be strengthened in the efforts to destroy the Al-Shabaab terrorist group.
In order to further solidify relations between the two nations, an agreement has been reached to hold the bilateral joint commission meeting, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Demeke and his Namibian counterpart Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Friday to put the bilateral ties between the two countries in a higher gear
Demeke said the agreement signed today would empower the two countries to broaden and improve their historical relationship in a variety of sectors, according to the ministry.
Photo – MOFA
