Senegal’s Foreign Minister visits Ethiopia
Following the invitation extended by Ato Seyoum Mesfin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, a high-level delegation led by Mr. Madicke NIANG, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic Senegal, paid an official visit to Ethiopia from 10th to 12th July.
The visit created an opportunity to revitalise the cooperation and bolster the amicable fraternal relations existing between the peoples of Ethiopia and Senegal.
During his visit, Minister Madicke NIANG was received by Ato Girma W/Giorgis, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The Minister presented a message of friendship from Mr Maitre Abdoulaye WADE, President of the Republic of Senegal.
The two Ministers held extensive discussions on the existing bilateral relations between the two countries in an amicable atmosphere. They focussed on how best to develop the relations between the two countries, whose first bilateral agreements were signed in 1962.
The Ministers reviewed the implementation of the Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation as well as the Agreement establishing a Joint Commission between the two countries both signed in 2006. In order to enhance the relationship between the two countries the Ministers agreed on the need expand their cooperation on Culture, Trade, Investment, Tourism and Education (training, research, exchange of students and experience sharing). The Ministers also agreed to hold regular consultations between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs on issues of common interest. The Ministers explored the possibility during their discussion of abolishing visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports. Both sides agreed to review the existing air service agreement with a view to making it consistent with the Yamoussoukro Agreement. They agreed to hold the first Joint Commission meeting in mid 2011.
During the course of the meeting, both Ministers condemned the cowardly terrorist attacks committed on 11th July in Kampala. They stressed that this was an act of terrorism aimed at Africa as a whole. They expressed their willingness to cooperate in the fight against terrorism with all peace loving nations.
At the end of the visit, Minister Madicke NIANG, congratulated the government and people of Ethiopia for conducting a peaceful and democratic election. He also thanked Minister Seyoum Mesfin, and the people and Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to him and his delegation during their stay in Ethiopia.