Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed held talks with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo yesterday.
During the talks, the two leaders agreed to work together beyond Nile and other bilateral issues as well as affirmed their commitment to set up a joint fund for infrastructure development such as energy.
They agreed to cooperate on Somalia and South Sudan peace process. Egypt also appreciated Ethiopia’s new initiative to end Ethio-Eritrea stalemate.
Moreover, Egypt freed 32 Ethiopian prisoners following the visit of PM Dr Abiy and they will arrive in Addis Ababa today, according to Fitusm Arega, Chief of Staff at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Ethiopian Premier also vowed not to harm Egypt’s water interest, Xinhua reports. “I swear to Allah that Ethiopia will not do any harm to Egypt’s water,” said Prime Minister Dr Abiy
For his part, Sisi described Egypt’s relations with Ethiopia as “strategic,” promising to maintain cooperation with the Ethiopian side for the best interests of both nations.
“I would like to reiterate that the relation between Egypt and Ethiopia is a strategic partnership relation, and that Egypt’s strategic policy is to enhance common interests with Ethiopia in all fields,” he said.
Prime Minister Dr Abiy arrived in Egypt last Saturday after concluding his two-day state visit to Uganda.
In Kampala, he conferred with President Yoweri Museveni on ways to strengthen issues of mutual interest between the two countries, including trade and political ties.
They agreed to concretize cooperation in priority sectors energy, trade, agriculture, transport, tourism and culture.
The two leaders also stressed the need to increase the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries by bringing together the respective private sectors to identify opportunities for trade and investment.
Posted by Amare Asrat