{"id":26097,"date":"2024-01-31T20:47:49","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T20:47:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/ethiopia\/all-news\/the-mou-signed-with-somaliland-depicts-ethiopias-continued-commitment-for-regional-stability-economic-integration-ambassadors"},"modified":"2024-01-31T22:13:59","modified_gmt":"2024-01-31T22:13:59","slug":"the-mou-signed-with-somaliland-depicts-ethiopias-continued-commitment-for-regional-stability-economic-integration-ambassadors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/ethiopia\/all-news\/the-mou-signed-with-somaliland-depicts-ethiopias-continued-commitment-for-regional-stability-economic-integration-ambassadors","title":{"rendered":"The MoU Signed with Somaliland Depicts Ethiopia\u2019s Continued Commitment for Regional Stability, Economic Integration: Ambassadors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Ethiopia. <\/strong><\/span>The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland has far-reaching benefits for the region beyond the signatories and manifests Ethiopia\u2019s continued commitment towards regional economic integration, Ethiopian Ambassadors to Canada, US, and China said.<\/p>\n

In an exclusive interview, Ethiopia\u2019s Ambassador to Canada, Fitsum Arega said that Ethiopia has been massively investing in various infrastructure which benefits its neighbors and the entire region as well.<\/p>\n

He added that massive investment is now paying off to the efforts of achieving the goals of Agenda 2063, particularly economic integration.<\/p>\n

Ethiopia has been working with its neighbors on railway connection, roads, and providing potable water, and electricity, Fitsum said.<\/p>\n

The ambassador also noted \u201cthe MoU between Ethiopia and Somaliland is a continuation of efforts that we had started decades back to integrate with the region and mutually benefit. So, the MoU is historic and Ethiopia\u2019s economy is growing and we would like to have more access sea ports.\u201d<\/p>\n

Through bilateral and multilateral discussions, Ethiopia will pursue for what has already started, he emphasized.<\/p>\n

The MoU poses no threat to any country, he said, and stressed \u201cwhen the dust settles, all the concerned countries will understand Ethiopia\u2019s aspiration to grow along with the region; Ethiopia\u2019s cooperation through integration.\u201d<\/p>\n

The African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) is one of the instruments that Ethiopia has massive potential to utilize from and ensure mutual economic development and growth with all African countries, he elaborated.<\/p>\n

\u201cEthiopia will continue to have more sea ports access like Djibouti port, Berbera port and even Lamu port in Kenya and other ports within the Red Sea. Ethiopia will continue to network through infrastructure as well as ports. So, it is for the benefit of the entire region to grow together,\u201d Ambassador Fitsum underscored.<\/p>\n

Ethiopia\u2019s Ambassador to the US, Seleshi Bekele said on his part that Ethiopia as one of the major countries in Africa and the second populous in the continent requires access to sea.<\/p>\n

The neighboring countries can benefit immensely from Ethiopia\u2019s various sectors including power supply, potable water, transport and logistics connectivity, he said, and added \u201cso that is already a fertile ground for economic integration and regional integration.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ethiopia also plays pivotal role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.<\/p>\n

\u201cEthiopia\u2019s view is always to protect the peace and security of the region. To this effect, the country contributes not just by words but by deeds, with blood. That is very crucial. There is no intention of destabilizing anybody or take the right of anybody else. It is just to share whatever wealth we have and collectively grow within the region,\u201d Ambassador Seleshi pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, the neighboring countries instead of antagonizing each other must work and prosper together. The MoU, therefore, has a clear meaning that Ethiopia is not imposing anything; but it is to understand each another between Ethiopia and Somaliland; so, it means both of us has interest and that could be nurtured through dependable legally-based type of relationship,\u201d Seleshi explained.<\/p>\n

Ethiopia\u2019s Ambassador to China, Tefera Derbew said on his part that Ethiopia needs sustainable and reliable port access in order to sustain the fast-growing economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cAccess to the sea will also actually benefit the neighboring countries. Africans are trying to integrate their economy through the AfCFTA; their aspirations are similar and complimentary. So long as we agree on this basic issue, the MoU between Somaliland and Ethiopia will benefit the people of Ethiopia and the neighboring countries,\u201d Tefera stated.<\/p>\n

He added that all the neighboring countries should support Ethiopia\u2019s noble cause for mutual economic development and prosperity of the region.<\/p>\n\r\n