Kenya, Ethiopia ink deals to bolster bilateral ties

Kenya and Ethiopia on Thursday signed five bilateral agreements, including a pact on the construction of an oil pipeline that will run through the two countries.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and visiting Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn witnessed the signing of the agreements on cooperation in areas including oil and gas, health, sports, education, animal health and sanitary measures.

The two countries vowed to further deepen their cordial bilateral relations, according to a joint statement signed in Nairobi.

In the oil and gas sector, the two countries will construct a crude oil pipeline that will run from the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to the Kenyan coastal town of Lamu.

The pipeline is part of the Lamu Port-Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor project, which runs through the two countries and aims to transform infrastructure in the towns and counties across its path.

The two leaders lauded the progress being made on cross-border security through a Joint Borders Administrators Framework, which was set up last year to deal with anti-peace elements along the common borders.

They committed to elevating the bilateral economic relations through the implementation a Special Status Agreement aimed at enhancing trade and investment between the two countries.

Once the Special Status Agreement is fully implemented with the elimination of both tariffs and non-tariff barriers, market access between the two countries will be improved, which will therefore benefit the flow of goods and services.

Speaking at a joint news conference, Kenyatta said Ethiopia was an invaluable partner for Kenya in issues ranging from the economy to regional peace building, noting the two countries were working closely on the Lamu Port-Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor project.

He said the two nations would continue to work closely on security issues in the wider region and also along their common borders, including efforts to help bring stability and peace to Somalia and the region at large.

The two leaders stressed the key role that African countries must continue to play in the pursuit of peace and security on the African continent.

Desalegn said his country considered neighboring Kenya as a strategic partner and a natural friend given the similarities the two countries share.

Desalegn said the two nations were important for the stability of the region as well as the whole of Africa.

"Kenya and Ethiopia are the pillars of the region and we have to work together to stabilize the region," said Desalegn, adding that Ethiopia will always stand ready to support Kenya in all fields. 

source : xinhua