Economy

Tanzania and Ethiopia sign six strategic cooperation agreements

Dar es Salaam. The United Republic of Tanzania and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia have signed six (6) cooperation agreements in key strategic areas including trade, industry, livestock, aviation training, tourism training, and immigration issues.

The agreements were signed during the First Meeting of the Joint Ministerial Commission between Tanzania and Ethiopia held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.

The meeting was chaired by Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, and Ethiopia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Gedion Timothemas Hessebon.

The Joint Ministerial Commission meeting aimed to discuss and assess the progress made in implementing various cooperation matters agreed upon during the establishment of the commission in 2017, as well as explore new strategic areas to further enhance the existing cooperation.

Among other matters, the meeting discussed and agreed on issues such as the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in politics, diplomacy, defense and security, legal and human rights, trade, agriculture, livestock, tourism, energy, water, infrastructure development, transport, information and communication technology, science and technology, health, education, culture, arts, and sports.

Regarding the Nile River Basin Cooperation Agreement, the ministers emphasized the importance of managing water resources and commended the countries that have signed and ratified the agreement.

The ministers urged those that have not yet completed the process to take deliberate steps to finalize it for the mutual benefit of all cooperation parties.

Furthermore, the ministers agreed to increase private sector involvement in economic activities to support the government’s efforts to achieve sustainable development goals.

This involvement will be accompanied by encouraging the private sector to seize opportunities in various cooperation sectors and building their capacity to understand how to access these opportunities.

Additionally, they agreed to strengthen cooperation in international platforms and expressed their commitment to supporting the African Union’s (AU) efforts to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063.

They pledged to continue working together to enhance the AU’s peace and security framework.

The ministers directed experts from both sides to effectively manage the agreements already signed and complete other Memorandam of Understanding (MoUs) that are in various stages of completion.

 They also emphasized the importance of establishing a monitoring system for the implementation of the signed agreements, ensuring regular communication to continue opening new areas of cooperation for the benefit of both nations.

The meeting concluded with the signing of a Joint Communiqué, and it was agreed that the Second Meeting of the Joint Ministerial Commission will be held in Tanzania in 2026 on a date to be agreed upon by both parties.

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