Addis Ababa, December 22, 2007 – Ethiopia has registered encouraging results in its determined position to work unilaterally and in collaboration with African countries following the demise of the military regime, state minister of foreign affairs said.

State Minister Dr Tekeda Alemu told Hidase, the millennium special edition magazine of [ruling coalition] EPRDF [Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front], that the country managed to carry out effective works as it implemented a strong foreign policy that eliminated suspicion relations with neighboring countries.

Ethiopia 's contribution to negotiated settlements, peace and security is at present highly valuable not only in the region but also throughout Africa, he said.

As a result, African Union was established in Addis Ababa and Ethiopia's relation with other countries has gained momentum due to its foreign policy which is based on rapid development, building a democratic order and ensuring good governance, Dr Tekeda noted.

In line with its interest to build relations based on mutual interest, it has been supporting the efforts to ensure peace in Somali as such stability in the country is vital for Ethiopia and the whole region, the state minister stressed.

Its relation with Sudan is also based on mutual economic benefits and the Qadarif [eastern Sudan]-Metema [northwestern Ethiopia] road which is the result of this relation will be finalized soon, according to Dr Tekeda.

Ethiopia has been executing various activities unilaterally and under the umbrella of IGAD for the success of the activities it has been pursuing to ensure mutual interests, he said, adding that this has enabled various countries to have confidence in their relations with the country.

Subsequently the appraisal of regional and other African countries towards Ethiopia has been improving and the activities executed to radically change relations with various countries is also encouraging and has won honor for the country, he pointed out.

The state minister further indicated that encouraging results have been obtained in the activities to reinforce its development and economic relations with other neighboring countries.

He mentioned cited as example the effort under way to extend electricity to Sudan and stated that the fiber optics mobile service has been finalized and gone operational.

Discussions have also been under way to provide electric power supply for Djibouti and agreement was already concluded with Kenya, he indicated.

Negotiations will also be made with Somaliland and Somalia for the supply of electric power, according to Dr Tekeda.

The national consensus being created in the new millennium indicates that no internal and external destructive forces can succeed to impede the country's development, he pointed out.

The state minister further reiterated that the motivation for change created in the millennium should bolster the ties not only at home but also with other countries.

Source: Walta Information Centre