PM, Ramaphosa agree to cooperate on issue of Ethiopians residing in S Africa

Addis Ababa, January 13, 2020 (FBC) –Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held yesterday talks in Pretoria on bilateral, continental and global issues of common interest.

According to a joint communiqué issued after the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of an agreement and two memoranda of understanding.

They agreed on the waiver of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic or official/service passports to ease the travel of officials, which will contribute to further strengthening the bilateral relations.

In the two memoranda of understanding inked between representatives of the two countries Ethiopia and South Africa vowed to cooperate in the fields of tourism and health.

In addition to encouraging South African companies to invest in Ethiopia and agreeing to cooperate in the field of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the two countries have also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the areas of mining, agriculture and knowledge transfer.

The two countries also agreed on the need to cooperate on the issue of Ethiopians residing in South Africa and to address illegal migration, human trafficking and smuggling.

At the continental level, the two leaders underscored the importance of inclusive growth and sustainable development for Africa’s socio-economic development and discussed South Africa’s upcoming Chairship of the African Union under the approved theme: “Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development.”

At the global level, the leaders underscored the need for continuing consultations in order to build partnerships in multilateral fora and to ensure that the agenda of the South is prioritised.

The two leaders further emphasised the need for the reform of the UN and its multilateral organisations and undertook to enhance cooperation and coordination in this regard.

They also noted the need for concerted action by the global community against terrorism through early agreement and adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, as well as the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in a balanced and integrated manner.

On the occasion Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed expressed his gratitude to the government and people of South Africa for the warm and generous hospitality extended to him and his delegation during the visit, and extended an invitation to President Ramaphosa to pay a reciprocal State Visit to Ethiopia on mutually convenient dates.

Both leaders agreed that the next Session of the South Africa-Ethiopia Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) would be held in 2020, in Addis Ababa, led by the Foreign Ministers.