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Joint communiqué Newsletter 18 |
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JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE STATE VISIT TO THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA BY H.E. CHIEF OLUSEGUN OBASANJO, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA |
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At the invitation of H.E. Ato Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, paid a three day State Visit to Ethiopia from 8 to 10 October 2006. On arrival at Bole International Airport, H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. (Mrs) U. Joy Ogwu, and the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Helen Esuene as well as other senior government officials was warmly welcomed by H.E. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. President Obasanjo 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. H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria conferred with H.E. Ato Girma Wolde-Giorgis, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia at the National Palace on various bilateral and international issues. H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and H.E. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi later on the same day held official talks at the National Palace on a wide range of topics including bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. The two leaders noted with delight the longstanding cooperation and friendship between the Governments of the two countries and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen these excellent relations for the mutual benefit of their peoples. The two leaders also agreed to work closely together at international fora on matters of mutual interest through enhanced cooperation and dialogue. Considering their existing collaboration in international affairs, particularly at regional and global fora such as the AU, the UN and other agencies, the two leaders took note of the Memorandum of Understanding that provides for institutional cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries, which was signed at the first Joint Ministerial Commission meeting on 29 April 2006. The two countries signed:
In accordance with the agreed minutes of the first Joint Ministerial Commission, which was held in Addis Ababa from 26-29 April 2006, the two leaders called upon the Chambers of Commerce and the business communities to explore business opportunities that abound in the two countries towards strengthening the trade and investment ties between Ethiopia and Nigeria. In this regard, the two leaders urged the organized private sector to accelerate the establishment of the Ethiopian Chapter of Nigeria-Ethiopia Business Association (NEBA) and emphasized the importance of NEBA as a veritable tool for the promotion of investment and trade relations between the two countries. The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the strong air transport links between the two countries and underlined that this would benefit not only the people-to-people relationships and cultural exchanges, but also the tourism and trade sectors of the two countries. The leaders also underlined the need for the establishment of direct cargo flights between Addis and Lagos in order to further promote inter-trade relations. The two leaders reviewed the overall peace and security situation in Africa and the progress thus far achieved. Having exchanged views on the Ethiopia-Eritrea peace process, the two leaders affirmed that the only solution to the crisis could only be found through dialogue and peaceful means. On the situation in Darfur, the two leaders recalled the decision of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union to extend the mandate of AMIS until 31 December 2006 and called on the international community to provide the necessary support to AMIS to successfully carry out its mandate. The leaders also underscored the need to strengthen the capability of AMIS to enable it stabilize the situation. The two leaders held consultations on the current situation in Cote d'Ivoire and took note of the Extraordinary ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit held in Abuja on 6 October 2006 and expressed their optimism that the impending meeting of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union at the level of Heads of State and Government, which is scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa on 17 October 2006 will fashion out a way forward. On Somalia, the two leaders reiterated their support for the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs). They also recalled the decision of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union authorizing the deployment of IGASOM and urged the UN Security Council to partially lift the arms embargo imposed on Somalia to facilitate the deployment. During his stay in Ethiopia, H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was engaged in a number of activities including a visit to Minaye and Joy Tech Flower Farms at Debrezeit. H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo also planted a tree at the Nigerian Street, and unveiled the plague of a map of Nigeria erected on the street. H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, addressed the Joint Session of the House of People's Representatives and the House of Federation of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo also visited the Headquarters of the African Union where he held discussions with H.E. Prof. Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairperson of the Commission and addressed members of the international community. H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo addressed the Joint Session of the Business Communities of the two countries and expressed his Government's commitment to support the Nigeria-Ethiopia Business Associations in order to enhance trade and investment between Ethiopia and Nigeria. H.E. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo also visited Addis Ababa University and held discussions with the President and Management Staff of the University as well as Ethiopian and Nigerian intellectuals working in various higher institutions of learning in Ethiopia. At the end of his three-day State Visit, His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo 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 and his entourage during their stay in Ethiopia.
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