Kenya Broadcasting Corporation: - KBC News

Ag Foreign Minister Prof. George Saitoti and H.E Ato Hailemariam Desalegn, Deputy PM, and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia sign an Agreement on Bilateral cooperation

Kenya and Ethiopia have signed three agreements on bilateral cooperation at the just concluded Joint Ministerial Commission for Cooperation Meeting held from 30th May to 2nd June 2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Agreements signed were Bilateral Trade Agreement; Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperative Technical Assistance and Cooperative Development; and the Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Cooperation.

Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs of Kenya, Prof. George Saitoti led a high level delegation comprising 8 Ministers and other senior government officials.

The Cabinet Ministers in the delegation were Yusuf Haji of Defence; James Orengo of Lands; John Michuki of Environment and Mineral Resources; Charity Ngilu of Water and Irrigation; Chirau Ali Mwakwere of Trade; Otieno Kajwang of Immigration and Registration of Persons; and Mohammed Elmi of the Ministry for the Development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands.

The Ethiopian delegation was led by H.E Ato Hailemariam Desalegn, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister for Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, many other areas of cooperation were considered. The discussions were organized around three clusters namely; the Political, Diplomatic, Security and Defence Affairs; Economic Affairs; and Social Affairs.

On the Political, Diplomatic, Security and Defence Affairs, the two countries committed to further enhance bilateral ties relations through a range of mechanisms, including the full implementation of the Protocol on Cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries, regular diplomatic consultations and joint measures on security issues.

The meeting called for the full implementation of the understanding reached by the various structures including the Joint Border Commissioners and Administrators meeting held in Nairobi, on 27 May 2011, the Action Plan on Defence Cooperation that was signed on 27 May, 2011, and made commitment for the enhancement of security along common borders by addressing the challenges created by anti-peace elements, competition for scarce resources and the proliferation of small arms.

The two countries also reaffirmed their commitment towards the continued pursuit of regional peace and security by addressing insecurity as well as international crimes such as terrorism, piracy, and human trafficking, among others.

On Economic Affairs, the two countries agreed to grow and expand the volume of trade, improve cooperation in customs, agriculture, wildlife, forestry and tourism.

Among the new areas emphasized at the meeting was the cooperation in infrastructural development as a means to support the aspirations of the two countries development plans. This includes interconnection in electricity, roads, railways, information communication and technology as well as civil aviation.

The meeting also addressed the issue of shared trans-boundary resources and their utilization, especially shared waters, taking into account the guiding principles of equitable use and ensuring no significant harm to downstream areas and peoples.

The linkage between security, peace and development was underscored at the meeting, with the two countries pledging their commitment to addressing the challenges faced by marginal areas as a basis for promoting security, cohesion, peaceful co-existence and sustainable livelihoods.

On Social Affairs, the two countries agreed to promote joint action to enhance cooperation in Health, Education, Sports, Youth, Gender Affairs, Labour and Higher Education, Science and Technology.

In the areas where the agreements were not ready for signature at the end of the meeting, the Joint Ministerial Commission instructed the relevant sectors to expedite bilateral consultations and conclude the Agreements in the next 3 months.