Africa-Press – Ethiopia. Scholars remarked that pursuit to own ports and quest for access to the sea is not an agenda to be left only to the government.
A panel discussion entitled “Access to sea routes for economic integration and sustainable peace” was conducted at Jimma University.
Participants on the panel discussion remarked that ownership of ports and accession to sea routes is not an agenda to be left only for the government.
They emphasized the need to capitalize on the importance of access to sea and port development to realizing regional integration and sustainable peace.
The participants also noted that it is important to consider the value of port development as a tool for promoting economic integration and work towards its implementation in unison.
Papers presented on the panel discussion regarding access to ports indicated the advantage it could bring for the nation in comparison with the objective reality at the international level.
The participants of the panel discussion underscored on the need to involve institutions, prominent individuals and diplomats on the role and basic advantage that accession to sear and ports could bring forth for national economic development and the prosperity of the country.
Dr. Rahel Asefa, Dean of College of Law and Governance at Jimma University remarked that seeking access to sea routes in a peaceful and lawful manner based on the diplomatic principle of give and take needs to be effectively encouraged.
Giver the advantage that access to sea could bring for the country, efforts made by Ethiopia to engage in agreement on port development needs to be supported, Dr. Rahel added.
As the agenda to own ports and access to the sea entails a greater national advantage for the country, the issue should not be discussed only when the government deliberates on its but should be raised and discussed in unison and in institutional context.
Commenting on the agreement that Ethiopia has signed to get access to ports and sea routes, Dr. Rahel said “ Any new venture could be expected to face challenges.”
She stressed on the need to cooperate and stand in unity on the issue as the agreement would benefit the entire country and therefore each one of us.
Dr. Idris Yeba, instructor at Jimma University also presented a paper on the importance of access to the sea.
He noted the importance of accession to ports for the commercial and economic development of the country and added that such effort should be supported by all.
Ethiopia’s diplomatic efforts to acquire access to the sea needs to be fully supported, he remarked.
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