Council of Ministers passes decisions on various issues

On Aug 31, 2023 408

Addis Ababa, August 31, 2023 (FBC) – The Council of Ministers, during its 24^th Regular Session, discussed on various agenda and passed decisions accordingly.

The council deliberated on three loan agreements signed between governments of Ethiopia and Italy with a total amount of 56 million Euro to support nation’s development oriented goals. Given all the loans are free of interest, have a grace period of 16 years and will be paid in 30 years and are in line with the country’s credit policy, the Council endorsed the agreements and passed to the House of Peoples Representatives for approval.

Next, the council discussed two loan agreements signed with the International Development Association (IDA). The 300 million US dollars loan agreements of which 250 million USD loan is aimed to increase electric access to low-income rural communities and 50 million for improvement of human power development. Given the loans are free of interest and have 6 years of grace period and are paid in 38 years and in line with the country’s credit policy, the Council validated the loans and then referred them to the house for approval.

In addition, the Council exchanged view on presented to facilitating foreign relations. Accordingly, the agreement signed between Ethiopia and the Russian Federation on mutual protection of intellectual properties obtained during military-technical cooperation is another matter discussed by the Council.

The purpose of the agreement is to renews the desire among the two countries to strengthen friendships, to have a better mutual understanding and cooperation in the field of intellectual property protection through the process of bilateral military-technical cooperation, and to jointly prevent violations of intellectual property rights that may be faced during the cooperation process.

Confirming that the agreement was signed based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit, the Council unanimously endorsed it and transferred it to the House of Peoples Representatives for further approval.

The council conversed about the agreement on the establishment of the African Medicines Agency. It is indicated that the agreement is aimed to ensure quality of pharmaceutical products of member countries, increase the capacity and efficiency of drugs quality control organs by supporting the efforts that our Ethiopia is making in this regard and integrate country’s traditional medicines with the modern medical system. The council discussed the agreement extensively and unanimously decided to forward it to the House of People’s Representatives for approval.

Another agenda discussed by the Council is the employment agreement signed with the Lebanese government. Cognizant of the fact that Ethiopia has a large number of citizens in Lebanon, an agreement has been submitted to the council with a view to protect the rights of these citizens and strengthen our diplomatic relations between the two nations. The Council unanimously endorsed the agreement and passed it to the house for approval.

Next, the council deliberated on the bilateral agreements signed with the governments of Republic of Korea and India to waive visas for diplomatic passport holders. After extensive discussion, the council unanimously decided to forward the agreements to the House of People’s Representatives for approval.

Finally, the council discussed the trade agreement signed with the government of Pakistan. Given the agreement is vital to enhance the bilateral relations between the two countries in areas of politics, economy, trade, investment as well as diplomacy and cooperation in advancing common stances in international spheres, the council unanimously decided to refer it to the House of People’s Representatives for approval.