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JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ
Joint Communiqué Issued at the End of the State Visit to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia by H.E. Hon. Benjamin William Mkapa, President of the United Republic of Tanzania. |
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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. Mr. Benjamin William Mkapa, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, paid a four day State Visit to Ethiopia from 28 to 31 August 2005. 2. On arrival at Bole International Airport, H.E. President Benjamin William Mkapa, accompanied by the first lady, H.E. Madam Anna Mkapa, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hon. Dr. Abdulkadir A. Shareef, the Deputy Minister for Transport and Communication of the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government Hon. Ali Omar Ali and other senior government officials was warmly welcomed by H.E. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi accompanied by the first lady, H.E. Mrs. Azeb Mesfin. President Mkapa inspected a guard of honour and was introduced to ministers and officials of the Ethiopian Government as well as to members of the diplomatic corps based in Addis Ababa. 3. H.E. President Benjamin William Mkapa 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, regional and international issues of mutual interest. 4. The two leaders appreciated the longstanding cooperation 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, a General Cooperation Agreement between the Governments of the two countries was signed. A Joint Ministerial Commission was also launched as a mechanism to facilitate and expedite the cooperation between the two countries. 6. Mindful of the ongoing collaboration in the field of foreign affairs, in such international and regional fora as the UN, the AU and others, a Memorandum of Understanding that provides for institutional cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries was also signed. 7. Taking into consideration the rich potentials for tourism development in the two countries, a Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in the Field of Tourism was also signed. 8. The two leaders also urged the Chambers of Commerce and the business communities of the two countries to explore business opportunities so as to strengthen the trade ties between Tanzania and Ethiopia. 9. The two leaders expressed satisfaction about the strong air transport links between the two countries and underlined that this would benefit not only the people to people relations and cultural exchanges, but also the tourism and trade sectors of the two countries. 10. H.E. President Benjamin William Mkapa and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi also reviewed and conferred on the activities of the Commission for Africa. The two leaders noted developments since the issuance of the report of the Commission and applauded the recent decision of the G-8 countries to cancel the debt of some 18 highly indebted countries. Noting that the situation of African countries is attracting the attention and the concern of the international community, they called on all the friends of Africa and development partners to exert collective efforts in the struggle against poverty and backwardness. 11. With respect of the restructuring of the United Nations, the two leaders reiterated their support for the AU position on the need to reform the organization as stipulated in the Ezwulini consensus and endorsed by the Heads of State and Governments at the 5th AU Summit in Sirte, Libya. 12. H.E. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi gave a briefing about the third national elections in Ethiopia. In this regard, the two leaders underscored the importance of tolerance across the political divide and urged for political maturity of the parties to accept election results and the necessity to seek for peaceful legal redress rather than resorting to violence when the results are disputed. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi also explained the five point peace plan proposed by Ethiopia to resolve the stalemate in the Ethio-Eritrea peace process. 13. The two leaders also discussed about the overall situation in the Great Lakes region and the progress thus far achieved to restore peace, stability and national reconciliation in the region. 14. During his stay in Ethiopia, H.E. President Mkapa and H.E. the first lady were engaged in a number of activities. These included a visit to the Ethiopian National Museum, Flower Farms and a Pharmaceutical Firm, and laying of Wreath at Victory Monument. HE. President Mkapa also planted tree at Tanzanian Street. Their Excellencies also visited Mekele, the capital of the Tigray Regional State and toured the historical sites of Axum. 15. H.E. President Mkapa also visited the headquarters of the Commission of the African Union and addressed the diplomatic corps based in Addis Ababa. On the same occasion H.E. President Benjamin William Mkapa held discussions with the Chairperson of the Commission H.E. Prof. Alpha Omar Konare. 16. At the end of his four day State Visit, His Excellency President Benjamin William Mkapa 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, the first lady and his entourage during their stay in Ethiopia. National Palace Addis Ababa 31 August 2005 |