Addis Ababa, 1 October 2014 (WIC) – Ethiopia and Egypt have many agendas beyond Nile River on which they can collaborate upon, Ambassadors of the two countries said.
Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Egypt, Mahmoud Dirir, and Egypt’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mohammed Idris, said there are many areas in which the countries could collaborate beyond Nile and Renaissance Dam issues.
The more diversified the agendas of the countries on which the countries collaborate are, the more successful would discussions about the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and Nile River be, they added.
The countries do not have friendship based on Nile River only, Ambassador Mahmoud stressed, adding that there are many other issues that benefit both countries.
He said the Ethiopian Embassy in Egypt has been undertaking various activities that change the attitudes of Egyptians towards the Dam.
Egypt’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mohammed Idris, on his part said the relationship of the two countries was wrongly restricted on Nile River, even though the friendship of the countries is historical and long.
The mistaken political approach has hampered the countries from deploying their huge resources to mutual benefits, Ambassador Mohammed noted, adding that there are many resources in which they can work together jointly and combine their efforts.
The trade and investment volume of the countries has exceeded 250 million USD.
Ethiopia exports dairy products, oilseeds and cereals to Egypt, while it imports canned foods, construction materials, electronics goods and medicine from Egypt.
The ambassador stated that the trade and investment volume of the countries should grow, adding that there are many favorable conditions which enable this.
The population of the countries is, for instance, in the leading category and it could enable them to create market tie.
Ambassador Mohammed said his country is taking various measures to consolidate its relation with Ethiopia, particularly with respect to economic relations. (ENA)