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Djibouti: Readjust the fare Ethiopia pays to the Djibouti port
Djibouti (HAN) August 21, 2006 -The Djibouti ambassador to Ethiopia, Ibrahim Mohamed Kamil, was received in audience by the Ethiopian PM, Atto. Melez Zenawi, at the Milik presidential palace in Addis. The Djibouti diplomat was the bearer of a message from President Ismail Omar Guelleh addressed to his Ethiopians counterpart.

Ethiopia and Djibouti are jointly exerting efforts with a view to further strengthening their bilateral relations, Ambassador of the Republic of Djibouti in Ethiopia said. 

Ambassador Ibrahim Mohamed Kamil, who is also Djibouti’s permanent envoy to the AU and Economic Commission for Africa, said that efforts are underway to readjust the fare Ethiopia pays to the Djibouti port. 

Ambassador Kamil told News agencies Friday that a joint commission meeting was held in Djibouti recently to reach agreements that would further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. 

Telecommunication corporations of the two countries have signed agreements to link the two countries through direct telephone line, the Ambassador said. 

A team of experts assigned to study the project has already finalized its duties, while the installation of a telephone line is expected to be finalized in two years time, he added. 

Moreover, an agreement has been reached on the joint commission’s meeting that would enable Djibouti get power supply from Ethiopia, he indicated. 

The Ambassador also noted that an agreement has been reached with a view to strengthening bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Djibouti in transport, trade and investment sectors. 

A committee responsible for the execution of the agreements reached between the two countries has been formed and launched its activities, he noted. 

An agreement that would enable the countries cooperate in youth, culture and sport sectors was also signed at ministerial level, Ambassador Kamil said. 

Ambassador Kamil also indicated that Ethiopian investors working at the new Durale port are getting the necessary assistance from the Djibouti government. 

Investors from Djibouti are not currently working in Ethiopia, he said. The government is trying its level best to encourage investors in Djibouti to invest in Ethiopia, he added. 

Rehabilitation work on the Ethio-Djibouti railway, which would be carried out with 50 million euro assistance provided by the European Union, is believed to facilitate trade relations between the two countries, he said. 

Concerning the Djibouti port, Ambassador Kamil said the government of Djibouti is exerting all efforts aimed at modernizing the port service,while the newly constructed Durale port is providing modern and quality port service to Ethiopia, which he said is a primary beneficiary. 

The price hike of the port service, according to Ambassador Kamil, was due to transferring of the port administration to a private Dubai company. 

However, he said, the government of Djibouti is trying its level best for the readjusment of the port service price. 

Concerning the current situation in Somalia, Ambassador Kamil said as member of IGAD, Djibouti strictly follows resolutions adopted by IGAD concerning the Somali crisis. 

All parties in Somalia should come to the negotiating table to peacefully resolve the problem in that country, he said. Sources: Geeska Afrika magazine, IGAD2020 media and HAN staff Reporter In Addis Ababa.

HAN Bulletin is your independent, online intelligence resource edited and published by the regional political historian, veteran newsman and founder of www.geeskaafrika.com (Geeska Afrika Online 1985). Each week he taps his vast network of international intelligence sources to bring you credible insights into geo-political and geo-strategic developments for the Horn of Africa.  Contact at  nurkafi@geeskaafrika.com  (Managing Editor/Publisher)