Addis Ababa, July 31, 2023 (FBC) – Ethiopia and South Africa stressed on redoubling efforts to expedite the implementation of agreements they had signed in various areas of cooperation, according to ENA.
The 4th Ethiopia-South Africa Joint Ministerial Commission meeting held today in Addis Ababa.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Foreign Affairs Demeke Mekonnen recalled that several agreements and Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) signed in the past to enhance the cooperation between the two countries in various fields, including air service, health, tourism, as well as industrial and technological cooperation, among others.
“We must involve and implement these agreements. Given the level of understanding and the historical relations…from a potential cooperation between the two countries are not adequate.” Demeke stressed.
Moreover, he stated that emerging, the already existing agreements and signing new agreements which enhance the economy, social and political ties must remain our priorities.
Therefore, he underlined “it’s my firm conviction we should redouble our effort towards further enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, knowledge and experience sharing, people to people relations as well as regional and global cooperation that matter not only to the two countries but also to Africa as whole.”
This joint ministerial meeting will enable not just to reflect the bilateral cooperation but also to discuss regional, continental and global issues of mutual interest, according to Demeke.
He reaffirmed that Ethiopia looks forward to deepen bilateral relations and strategic partnership with South Africa.
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Naledi Pandor on her part applauded the government of Ethiopia for its very active engagement to strengthen cooperation and bilateral relations with other countries in the region and broadly with the African continent.
“Ethiopia is truly a pan African country,” she pointed out.
The minister underlined that we need to ensure that this joint commission produces tangible results, and measurable milestones to which we will hold ourselves accountable for issues related to trade and investment are critical, and we need to address any challenges that may derail the deepening and expansion of our bilateral cooperation.
“We have to agree on a clear way forward in relation to the implementation of the signed bilateral agreements. We need to have a careful review of the dormant existing agreements to ensure that we define new areas of cooperation,” he reiterated.
She also stressed the need to remove barriers targeting access for products originating from the two countries, that the two countries explore ways of promoting the protection of investors, especially in view of the fact that the Continental Free Trade Area agreement has been ratified by both the customers.
“We also would like to see collaboration in the quest for solutions in support of the limitation of poverty, increased job creation, and the reduction of inequality. We believe all these should influence the content, scope and direction of engagements,” the minister underscored.