Khartoum and Addis Ababa sign plan to boost ties
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By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
February 22, 2012 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa and neighbouring Sudan’s capital Khartoum on Tuesday launched an annual action plan to further consolidate multilateral ties between the two East African cities.
The annual action plan agreement was signed between head of Mayor’s Office and Cabinet Affairs of the Addis Ababa’s administration, Motuma Mekasa, and the Minister of Planning and Physical Development of Khartoum State, Al-Rasheed Osman Faqiri.
The two sides agreed to commit themselves to further strengthen diplomatic ties, promote economic social and cultural relations between Sudan and Ethiopia.
The cities further affirmed to jointly work for better cooperation and promote understanding between the peoples and to exchange best practices and experiences learned to a mutual benefit of the two people.
Addis Ababa and Khartoum were paired on 25 December 2010 paving a way to further strengthen people-to people relations. Addis Ababa is paired to a number of cities across the world and the city administration says it is exerting relentless efforts to form links with other cities.
The head of external relations at the Addis Ababa Mayor’s Office, Almaz Mekonnen told journalists that trade fairs will be organised in Addis Ababa and Khartoum in connection with the 125th founding anniversary of Addis Ababa as part of implementation of the action plan.
She further said a cultural group from Khartoum will also stage cultural show in Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia and Sudan have a long relationship with the border between the two countries only formed around 100 years ago.
During the occasion, Al-Rasheed Osman Faqiri reaffirmed commitment to further strengthen and expand the existing relationship.
The Sudanese Minister said Khartoum is keen to share common values and experiences from Addis Ababa mainly in housing development projects, decentralised administration and chambers of commerce.
According to the official Ethiopia news agency, a delegation led by Al-Rasheed Osman Faqiri will visit condominium houses, road projects, micro and small-scale enterprises as well as historical sites.
The two countries say the ’sister city’ program allows subjects to undertake various forms of exchanges, to carry out distance projects, share experiences thereby creating grounds for citizens to become directly involved in international relations.
The cooperation between the twin city governments further allows mutual contacts in a number of areas such as in science and technology, health, education, and cultivating economic and trade ties.
Beyond promoting cultural, social, economic relationships and enhancing friendship, cities twinning seen as a crucial weapon to foster international peace and goodwill.
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