News Feature

Newsletter 11

Partnership for Peace and Development

Established in a form of trilateral cooperation by founding members Ethiopia, Sudan, and Yemen in 2002, the Sana'a Forum for Cooperation recently held its fourth Summit in Aden, the economic capital of Yemen.

The Forum was held in the presence of Ethiopian, Yemeni, Sudanese, and Somali leaders from December 28-29, 2005. It deliberated on the furtherance of the objectives of the Sana'a Forum for Cooperation (SFC) into more political, economic and security cooperation, seeking to strengthen the security and stability in the member States.

 Since the establishment of the Forum three years back, progress has been achieved in the undertaking of the Forum in areas of economic and security cooperation.  

 In a joint communiqué issued at the end of the Forum, the leaders commended  the  level  of  coordination, information exchange and security cooperation among SFC countries.  

In line with the economic cooperation aimed at bringing about growth and prosperity in member States the leaders reached, during the summit, agreements on agricultural, export promotion, youth and sport as well as cultural cooperations.

Ethiopia's Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin hailed the Summit as successful, and explained the immense benefits Ethiopia and other member countries would enjoy from the signing of the aforementioned agreements. 

 " The agreements would enable to conduct trade and investment at ease among countries in the region," he said.  With the view to upgrade the cooperation among member countries, it was decided during the summit that the promising cooperation among businessmen from member states should be strengthened  by  formalizing the cooperation through the establishment of Joint Businessmen Council.

Reiterating their full commitment to combat terrorism in cooperation with the international community, member states confirmed determination to jointly work to bring about durable peace and stability in the region to ensure sustained economic development.

Welcoming the Federal Republic of Somalia as member of SFC, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to support the former's aim to build institutions and to establish full control over its territories in a united Somalia that contributes together with its neighbors for the realization of security and stability in the region.  

The Sana'a Forum for Cooperation is a forum open to new members    willing to join fulfilling the criteria of the Forum, which are peaceful co-existence and full-fledged cooperation among member countries in the economic, political, social and cultural realms.

While addressing the issue of democracy and stability in Ethiopia the leaders praised the May 2005 national elections as successful, democratic and transparent.

            They also expressed support for the security and stability of Ethiopia and repudiated any act undermining the constitutional order of the country, stressing on the fact that peaceful political participation and loyalty to the rule of law is the only means to promote democracy and good governance.

            While lauding the Ethiopian Government for its decision to redeploy its forces, the leaders emphasized on dialogue between Ethiopia and Eritrea as the means to come up with peaceful and lasting solution to the border dispute.

            Founding member of the Forum, the Government of Ethiopia has always been promoting peace and cooperation in the Horn in particular, and the continent in general. The contribution it made in this regard to the peace and stability in the region is immense.

It is Ethiopia's firm belief that peace is central to any form of development. And this is expressed in its role worldwide through its agenda of peace and participation in peacekeeping missions.

The Sana'a Forum fits the peace and development principles of Ethiopia. As the forum holds as its motto ensuring stability and economic growth through peaceful cooperation, Ethiopia is committed to promote these agenda, and implement its objectives with full vigour. It readily cooperates with member states to attain the purpose of the Forum.  

With regard to the activities of the United Nations the Forum "reaffirmed the importance of the UN reforms in order to strengthen its international role, and achieve better representation of member States in the Security Council, and to reinvigorate its role to fulfill the MDGs in the least developed countries."  

Speaking on the importance of the Forum, Addis Dilnessa, Acting General Director of the Asia, Australasia and Middle East General Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the Forum strengthened the long-standing cultural and historical relationship existing among the Horn of Africa and the Middle East countries, and is considered instrumental in further benefiting the peoples of those countries.

 Encouraging results have been registered in the security, economic and trade ties forged among member States of the forum.

 " The Forum has further been consolidated," says Addis, "contrary to the assumption by some that it will fail before long."

The Forum has finally agreed on future steps to be taken to upgrade and expand its activities geared to expedite economic, social, political and trade cooperation among member States.

Ethiopia hosts the 5th Summit of the Sana'a Forum for Cooperation in December 2006.