LAPSSET project pertinent in boosting economic cooperation, regional integration: Minister of State

Addis Ababa, May 19, 2023 (FBC) – The third LAPSSET Corridor Program Ministerial Meeting concluded today with the adoption of the Juba Commitments and the road map for the implementation of the LAPSSET project.

The high-level representatives of the footprint countries made their closing remarks commending the host country, South Sudan for the warm hospitality accorded to their respective delegations as well as UNECA for taking on the key role of coordination for realizing this meeting.

During the closing ceremony, Dhenge Boru, State Minister of Transport of Ethiopia, made remarks where he emphasized the pertinence of the LAPSSET project in boosting economic cooperation and regional integration.

He also called on member states to take their respective leading roles in expediting the implementation of the project and stressed Ethiopia’s relentless commitment in this regard.

The state minister, as part of expediting the LAPSSET, also mentioned yesterday’s historic contractual agreement signed between Ethiopia and South Sudan for the highway construction in the presence of President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

In his closing speech, General Madut Biar Yel, Minister of Transport, highlighted South Sudan’s priority projects for the LAPSSET corridor development. He affirmed his country’s commitment to work towards its realization.

The closing ceremony was graced by high representatives from the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Kenya, and UNECA in the presence of Bacha Debele, Ethiopian Ambassador to the Republic of Kenya, Nebil Mahadi, Ethiopian Ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, the LAPSSET corridor development 4th Ministerial Meeting will be held in Kenya next year.