Joint statement from Djibouti, Ethiopia
Djibouti-Ethiopia, Politics, 11/5/1999

The following is the full text of the joint communique issued at end of the visit to Ethiopia of Ismail Omar Guelleh, president of Djibouti, issued by the FDRE Office of Government Spokesperson on November 4, 1999:

H.E. Mr. Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti, accompanied by high ranking government officials, parliamentarians and representatives of chambers of commerce, paid an official state visit to Ethiopia from 1-4 November 1999.

Following the very warm welcome accorded to him upon arrival in Ethiopia by H.E. President Negasso Gidada, the two leaders held extensive discussions on the status of relations between Djibouti and Ethiopia and on the prevailing situation in the sub-region.

In anticipation of the state visit by H.E. President Ismail Omar Guelleh to Ethiopia and to give the occasion special significance, all various mechanisms for cooperation between the two countries, including at the level of ministers, were reactivated and were convened. The highest level of these, the Seventh Ethio-Djibouti Joint Ministerial Commission Meeting, was held in conjunction with the state visit from 30 October to 4 November 1999. During his visit, H.E. President Ismail Omar Guelleh and H.E. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held frank and in-depth discussions on bilateral and regional issues of common interest. The discussions were held in a fraternal and cordial atmosphere that characterizes the historic and close relationship between the two countries.

On bilateral issues the two leaders reiterated the shared vision of their two governments to bring about harmonization of policies and speedy implementation of programs in the various areas of cooperation with a view to realizing more enhanced economic ties between the two countries.

The two leaders expressed their full satisfaction at the results achieved by the Ethio-Djibouti Joint Ministerial Commission and the Ethio-Djibouti Joint Follow-up Committee Meetings during which the existing state of cooperation between Ethiopia and Djibouti in the political, security, social and economic fields were reviewed in detail. In this regard, the two leaders endorsed the agreements and understandings reached between the two sides that are designed to facilitate trade, investment, movement of peoples and goods, transport and communications and port utilization.

The two leaders also reiterated their resolve to promote and strengthen the economic ties as well as the people-to-people relationships between the two countries. In this regard, they both paid tribute to H.E. Gouled Aptidon who has contributed to laying the foundation for and to cementing the close ties that exist between the two peoples and countries which share a common history and culture. In this connection, they expressed their resolve to nurture these excellent relations and enhance them further. After exchanging views on the peace and security situation along their common border, the two leaders expressed their grave concern over the continued destabilizing and terrorist activities directed at the two countries. In this regard, they agreed to coordinate their actions with a view to securing peace and stability for their respective peoples, as well as for the sub-region in general.

On regional matters the leaders of the two countries reiterated the common objectives of their governments to help the people of Somalia in their endeavor to bring about national reconciliation and the establishment of a broad based central authority in Somalia. In this regard, Prime Minister Meles expressed full support to the recent proposal put forward by H.E. the President of the Republic of Djibouti to bring about a lasting solution to the tragic crisis in Somalia. The two leaders also stressed the commitment of both countries to revitalize and strengthen the overall capacity of IGAD in the execution of sub-regional development projects and the management of conflict situations. They agreed to the convening of the IGAD summit without further delay and underlined the need for the current chairman to carry out the necessary consultation with his colleagues in the sub-region to insure that the summit will take place as soon as possible.

During his stay in Ethiopia, H.E. the President of Djibouti addressed the House of the Peoples' Representatives of the Federal Democratic of Ethiopia and heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations, as well as members of the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce. The President also met and held discussions with the Secretary General of the OAU, the Under Secretary General and the Executive Secretary of the UNECA in Addis Ababa. The President offered his prayers at the historic Nagashi Mosque in the Tigray Regional State and visited the National Museum of Ethiopia.

At the conclusion of the visit, agreements were signed between the two countries in the fields of education, justice, energy and mineral resources, sports and tourism. At the end of his visit, H.E. President Ismail Omar Guelleh expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation for the warm welcome and fraternal hospitality accorded by the people and government of Ethiopia to him and to the members of his delegation during their stay in Ethiopia.

Previous Stories:
  Djibouti, Ethiopia: talks to strengthen economic relations   (11/4/1999)

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