China, Ethiopia further enhance cooperation in water development

China and Ethiopia Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding Addis Ababa enabling the two countries to cooperate in water resources development.

The memorandum, signed by visiting Chinese water resources minister Wang Shucheng and Ethiopian Minister for Water Resources Development Shiferraw Jarso, is to expand the existing Sino-Ethiopia cooperation in utilization, management and sustainable development of water resources and establish a long-term cooperative relationship on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

In line with the memorandum, China will provide various supportincluding capacity building in the areas of rural water supply, irrigation development and hydro-power generation.

On Monday, during the talks with the Chinese minister, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi expressed Ethiopia's willingness to further consolidate its cooperation with China in the area of water development.

Meles said that strengthening water development cooperation between the two countries would help Ethiopia draw important lessons from China.

And the Chinese minister assured that China would extend support to Ethiopia in the areas of water resources management, capacity building, technological transfer and training of manpower.

The Chinese delegation arrived here Saturday for a five-day official visit to Ethiopia.

Source: Xinhua