By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

December 27, 2010 (ADDIS ABABA) - The 13th Ethiopia-Sudan Joint Border Development Commission Meeting was held in Sinja the capital of Sudan’s Sinar, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.

Addressing the meeting, Ethiopia’s Tigray State’s governor, Abay Woldu said the long and historic ties between the people of the two countries have laid a strong foundation for the current reached excellent relations.

He further said that the joint border commission meetings held in the past have played a tremendous role in further strengthening ties and cooperation between the countries.

The meeting has evaluated achievements and obstacles facing in implementing previous agreements. The two sides have agreed to jointly work together to tackle these hurdles.

The meeting has called for stronger partnership in the areas of health, investment and culture. Other issues discussed were border trade, political and security matters of common concern.

Sinar Province Governor, Ahmed Abas Mohammed said on his part that ties between Ethiopia and Sudan are based on mutual interest, is currently the best it has been. He expressed keenness that his province, which shares borders with Ethiopia, to further strengthen relations with adjacent Ethiopian states.

He hailed developmental activities being carried out in Ethiopia.

Sudan Tribune has learnt that, the heads of Ethiopia’s Amhara, Gambella and Benishangul Gumuz states and other senior government officials were in attendance at the two-day session.

(ST)