JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ

Joint Communiqué issued at the end of the official Visit to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia by H.E. Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

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1.            At the invitation of H.E. Ato Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, paid a three day official visit to Ethiopia from 18 to 21 October 2005.

2.             On his arrival at Bole International Airport, H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Eloise Gonsalves, H.E. Ambassador Ellsworth I. A. John, Ambassador of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the United States and Special Advisor on Foreign Policy, Mr. St. Clair Prince, Director of the Agency for Public Information, Mr. Camillo Gonsalves, Senior Crown Council at the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Mr. John St. Hilaire, Mr. Cauldric Delpeche, Mr. Ronald Hypolite and Mr. Philbert Bascombe of the Rastafarian Community of St. Vincent and the Grenadines was warmly welcomed by high level officials from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 3.          H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves and H.E. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held official talks at the National Palace. The talks covered a wide range of topics and focused on bilateral issues of mutual interest.

 4.  The two leaders appreciated the increasing ties and friendship between the Governments of the two countries and expressed their commitment to further strengthen their excellent relations for the mutual benefit of the peoples of the two countries.

 5.  In this regard, an agreement on the reciprocal abolition of visas between the two governments of the two countries was signed.

 6.  H.E. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi expressed the desire of his government to expand the bilateral relations of the two countries, especially in the field of culture, education, trade in goods and services, relations with the African diaspora and people of African descent in the Caribbean in general and that of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in particular.

 7.  H.E. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi expressed his intention in exploring measures that will be taken to facilitate special and favorable treatment with regards to the economic rights of Caribbean born Rastafarians residing in Ethiopia.

 8.  H.E. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi also expressed gratitude for the solidarity and support given to Ethiopia by the Caribbean countries in general, the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Rastafarian community in particular.

 9.  H.E. Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves on his part congratulated H.E. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on the successful conclusion of the recent election in Ethiopia and his re-election as the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and pledged his country's readiness to work with the government of Ethiopia for the achievements of the various areas of cooperation that were raised during their discussion. 

  10.H.E. Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves accompanied by his wife and the members of his delegation also held talks with H.E. President Girma Wolde Giorgis, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The discussion focused on a wide range of issues of mutual concern.

 11. Both H.E. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and H.E. Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves expressed their mutual desire to exchange in due course Honorary Consuls in their respective countries.

 12. During his stay in Ethiopia, H.E. Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves and his wife were engaged in a number of activities. These included a visit to the Ethiopian National Museum, and a visit to Entoto. H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves and his delegation traveled to Shashemene and paid a one day visit to the Rastafarian community and held talks with the local administration. The delegation also made a short stay in Awassa meeting the regional administration.

 13. At the end of his three days official visit, H.E. Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves expressed gratitude to H.E. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, the government and people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to him, his wife and his delegation during their stay in Ethiopia.

 14. H.E. Dr. Ralph E. Gonsalves extended an invitation to H.E. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to pay an official visit to St. Vincent and the Grenadines at a time of his convenience. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on his part gladly accepted the invitation.

National Palace

Addis Ababa

20 October 2005