- Ethio-China Golden Jubilee diplomatic ties to celebrate colorfully
- Preparations starts for the upcoming AU Summit
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia is committed to reach final fair and win-win agreement on GERD’s upcoming talks with its usual strong principles of cooperation and mutual benefit of natural resources without causing significant harm, Ministry of Foreign Affairs so disclosed.
On his media briefing on current affairs yesterday, Ministry Spokesperson Nebiyat Getachew said that the discussion held in Washington DC was mainly to appraise the four round technical talks.
During the meeting that took place from 13-15 January the parties “have set up road map to address the Ethiopia’s goal of filling the dam and concerns of the mitigation measures for downstream countries”, Nebiat stated.
The spokesperson noted that the countries have agreed to continue technical and legal discussions and to prepare legal document to be tabled for the upcoming discussion on 28-29 January in Washington DC.
According to him in the coming discussions it is expected to reach final agreement on initial filling stage of GERD, the subsequent filling stages, water operation of GERD, appropriate mitigation measures for drought & prolonged drought and sustainable coordination of the basin countries for the development of Blue Nile.
Nebiyat said that Ethiopia is committed and ready to conclude the discussions based on mutual benefit of the basin countries based on its strong principles of cooperation and mutual benefit without compromising its basic national interest.
Meanwhile the spokesperson stated that 2020 is the year to celebrate the 50 years diplomatic relations of Ethiopia and China which started in 1970. Nebiyat added that China is the strong partner of Ethiopia and the relation of the countries is multidimensional.
Especially since the relation of the countries has developed to Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation since 2017, the relation strengthens in economic, social, political, military and peace and security sectors.
Hence the Golden Jubilee celebration of the two countries will take place inChina and Ethiopia colorfully.
Nebiyat also told the media that Ethiopia is preparing for the upcoming African Union Summit to be held from February 6-10 in Addis Ababa. For this purpose a National Committee has been formed to lead the Summit and preparations smoothly.
The 33rd African heads of state and 36th Foreign Affairs meeting would be held from February 6-10 with the theme “Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development”.
The main agendas of the summit are creating conducive conditions for Africa’s development by silencing the guns, discussing on AU institutional reform and African Continental Free Trade Area.
The Ethiopian Herald January 18/2020
BY DARGIE KAHSAY
