Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, met Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom and the delegation accompanying him, at the ministry yesterday.

During the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah and Adhanom discussed ways to strengthen the distinguished relations and bonds of friendship between the two countries. They also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest as well as the latest developments.

The meeting was attended by Labour Minister Saqr Ghobash, Minister of State Reem Al Hashimy and Foreign Minister Assistant for Economic Affairs, Khalid Ghanem Al Ghaith.

Sheikh Abdullah said the UAE and Ethiopia have distinguished historic ties, adding that Ethiopia is a main trade partner of the UAE. He referred to the statistical reports, which ranked the UAE number eighth in terms of foreign investment volume in Ethiopia.

He made the remarks while chairing the first ministerial UAE-Ethiopian Joint Committee meeting held in Abu Dhabi yesterday. The Ethiopian side was headed by its Foreign Minister. A number of senior public officials and businessmen from both sides attended the meeting.

Welcoming the Ethiopian Foreign Minister and the delegation accompanying him, Sheikh Abdullah wished them a good stay in their second country, expressing hope that the meeting would result in promising and ambitious resolutions that could help upgrade bilateral relations and cooperation between the two friendly countries.

"The first meeting of the UAE-Ethiopian Joint Committee reflects our commitment to developing these relations in line with the aspirations of higher leadership in both countries, and in a way that serves the joint interests and objectives in all fields. We could also use this committee as a platform for developing cultural and technical cooperation, a move that could add a popular dimension to the partnership between us, and a strong support to the political administration of the leaders of the two countries," Sheikh Abdullah said.

The UAE Foreign Minister congratulated the government and the friendly people of Ethiopia on the signing of the Millennium Dam Agreement with both Egypt and Sudan.

"We are looking forward through this joint committee to exchanging views and discussing whatever concerns both countries have in terms of new joint projects that benefit both sides and realise the interests of the two friendly countries, as well as explore investment opportunities and proposals to overcome obstacles that hamper the development of relations," he said.

Sheikh Abdullah reiterated that the joint committee meeting is a valuable opportunity to increase bilateral trade and explore more ways to do so.

He noted that the visit of the UAE Economy Minister, Sultan Al Mansouri, to Ethiopia in March 2014 gave a huge boost to the economic relations between the two countries.

Sheikh Abdullah said the mutual visits of senior officials strengthen direct communication, being an appropriate means to settle any dispute or obstacles or challenges through direct talks.

He added that the opening of the representative office of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Addis Ababa in May 2013 was a successful model of trade cooperation.

Sheikh Abdullah hoped the joint committee meeting would focus on setting in place effective frameworks that would pave the way for more cooperation to reach strategic and successful partnership between the two sides in a way that addresses mutual interests of the two parties.

He referred to promising and potential opportunities for exchanging expertise between the two countries, especially in the areas of industry, infrastructure, investment, transport and others. "No doubt, the growth of relations would require expansion in many fields, and the UAE could offer more in this respect through setting up partnerships between the private sectors of both countries."

Sheikh Abdullah stressed the importance of striking agreements discussed earlier between the two countries, especially in the economic and investment fields, as well as availing investment opportunities for businessmen and national companies that seek to invest in both countries. He added that this can be achieved through more mutual official visits in both public and private sectors.

He called for benefiting from the strategic location of both countries, stressing the need for the joint committee to continue and follow up on the implementation of its resolutions.

In conclusion, Sheikh Abdullah thanked the heads and members of the preparatory committee for their efforts and diligence to make the meeting a success, wishing that more such meetings of the committee would be held in Addis Ababa.

On his part, the Ethiopian Foreign Minister thanked the UAE leadership and people, stressing that the first meeting of the joint committee "is an important milestone for the relations between the two countries."

He emphasised the economic importance of the UAE to Ethiopia, citing the volume of trade exchange between the two countries that stands at over US$1 billion. He noted that the resolutions of the joint committee meeting would further boost the trade exchange and investment between the two countries.

Ghobash said both countries are now in the process of finalising the preparation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the area of workforce.

On her part, Reem Al Hashimy thanked Ethiopia for the hospitality it accorded her and the accompanying UAE delegation during the visit to Ethiopia in 2013. She hailed the agreements signed between the two countries during the joint committee meetings.

During the meeting, the UAE and Ethiopia signed a number of agreements. Sheikh Abdullah and the Ethiopian Foreign Minister signed the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and MoU in the area of environment.

Al Hashimy and the Ethiopian State Minister for Education Affairs signed MoU on cooperation in the area of higher education.

Ibrahim Abdul Malik, Secretary-General for the General Authority of Youth and Sports, and the Commissioner of Ethiopian Sports Commission signed MoU on cooperation in the areas of youth and sports.
Source: WAM