Ethiopian FM hails relations with Egypt

Ethiopia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Hailemariam Desalegn hails Ethiopian-Egyptian relations, saying that they are excellent at the current time and that the agreements signed in Cairo during Prime Minister Meles Zenawi''s visit in the areas of cooperation, health and education are all moving in a good direction. In a joint press conference held last night in Addis Ababa with his Egyptian counterpart Mohamed Kamel Amr, Desalegn said that the political consultations between the two countries'' foreign ministries are going well. Regarding the Tripartite Committee on Renaissance Dam which includes experts from Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, he noted that the experts have conducted their consultations and meetings in accordance with the plan that have been developed and they met three times so far, adding that an agreement to continue the political consultations between the two countries was signed. The Ethiopian Foreign Minister said that he discussed with his Egyptian counterpart a number of topics and issues of common concern, especially the peace process between Sudan and Southern Sudan. For his part, Egyptian Foreign Minister said the two countries have a consultation mechanism every six months and this is the third meeting with his Ethiopian counterpart during five months. He stressed that relations between Cairo and Addis Ababa are now on the right track, pointing out that Egypt and Ethiopia share a historical relationship and clear interests. The Egyptian Foreign Minister also said that his consultations with his Ethiopian counterpart dealt with the work of the Tripartite Committee of experts to consider the technical issues of the Renaissance Dam. In response to a question about the fate of the agreements signed between the two countries after the formation of an elected government in Egypt, he said that any agreements signed by Egypt will be respected by any government. (QNA) AMA/LY