Leaders Agree to Strive for Economic Integration

Addis Ababa November 10/2018 Leaders of Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia have agreed to work on regional peace and security as well as economic integration, according to a statement from Office of the Prime Minister. During their deliberation in Bahir Dar yesterday, the leaders appraised the Joint Declaration on Friendship and Comprehensive Cooperation signed in Asmara on September 6, 2018. The tripartite declaration has been signed by the leaders to strengthen economic, security and political cooperation in the Horn of Africa. In the meeting in Bahir Dar, the leaders have agreed to consolidate their mutual solidarity and support in addressing the challenges that they face individually and collectively. Furthermore, the leaders underlined the utmost importance of respecting the territorial integrity of Somalia and providing support for its people and institutions. Having discussed the preparation of the lifting of sanctions on Eritrea by the United Nations Security Council on November 14, 2018, the leaders praised the move and underscored their conviction that this would contribute to enhance peace, development and cooperation in the region. The tripartite discussions focused on regional economic integration, strengthening peace and security in the Horn region, and on developing a common and aligned voice on international agendas, according to the statement. The peace agreement signed between Ethiopia and Eritrea on July 9th to culminate the 20 years old hostility and restore diplomatic ties has a spillover effect on normalizing relations among rival nations in the Horn of Africa.