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By Christine Chisha | Sat, Jul 14, 2012
GOING by the theme of the 19th Africa Union summit ‘Boosting intra-Africa trade’ the Zambian and Ethiopian government has signed two bilateral agreements.
The two governments signed agreements focusing on the economical, scientific and technical cooperation. The other agreement is the draft protocol on establishing of bilateralconsultation in multilateral affairs.
The bilateral agreements will benefit both countries in conducting exchange of information, expertise, and study tours between development institutions and business communities.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Given Lubinda who signed on behalf of the Zambian government said the two countries need to enhance and strengthen intra- Africa diplomatic relations in the spirit of building the spirit of Pan-Africanism. He said the economical agreement is an opportunity to enhance and
deepen relations in front of economical, technological and scientific areas as time has come for Africa to appreciate its own scientists.
“Time has come to start appreciating African scientists, we should recognize and appreciate what they produce and develop and only then we can say that Africa is moving independently,” he said.
The agreements were sign at the side-lines of the 19th session of the Africa Union summit under the theme ‘boosting Intra-African trade. Mr Lubinda said the agreements between the two countries were a testimony that Africa was on move. He said he was delighted to signed the agreements in Ethiopia a
country Zambia considers the cradle for Africa and both countries enjoys bilateral relations with other countries.
Mr Lubinda said Zambia was hoping that the signing of the agreements will move towards establishing joint permanent commission to meet once every four years.
Ethiopian Deputy Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hailemariam Desalegn who sign on behalf of Ethiopia said the agreements signed will play a catalyst role not only to further strengthening and deepening already existing relations but widen the sphere of cooperation.
Mr Desalegn said both Zambia and Ethiopia face similar development challenges and there was need to strengthen institutional cooperation in areas such as capacity building, poverty alleviation, health and education.
“The agreements signed are a testimony that the new Zambian government wants to continue the existing excellent relations between our two countries. We would like to restate our confidence and desire that this cooperation and friendship between our two countries will prosper and grows,” he said.
Mr Desalegn said Ethiopia attaches great importance to its relations with Zambia as the two countries have already signed multifaceted cooperation agreements. Zambia and Ethiopia have agreements on bilateral air service, trade, news exchange co-operation among environmental journalists and
Copperbelt University on cooperation in the design and conduct of courses.