Ethiopia and Tanzania signed agreements and memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields between the two countries.

The two countries agree to strengthen cooperation in the field of tourism considering the rich potentials for tourism development in the countries, as well as to foster the ongoing collaboration in the field of foreign affairs in such international and regional fora as the United Nations, the African Union and others.

A joint ministerial commission was also launched as a mechanism to facilitate and expedite the cooperation between the two countries.

According to a joint communique issued at the end of the state visit to Ethiopia by outgoing Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa, the two leaders expressed satisfaction about the strong air transport links between the two countries.

They underscored that the links in the air transport benefit not only the people-to-people relations and cultural exchanges, but also the tourism and trade sectors of the two countries, said the communique.

It said Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Tanzanian President Mkapa also reviewed and deliberated on the activities of the Commission for Africa, launched by British Prime Minister Tony Blair in February 2004.

They called on all the friends in Africa and development partners to exert collective efforts in the struggle against poverty and backwardness, said the communique.

The two leaders noted developments since the issuance of the report of the Commission and applauded the recent decision of the G-8 countries to write off the debts of some 18 highly indebted countries, it said.

The two leaders discussed the overall situation in the Great Lakes region and the progress achieved to restore peace, stability and national reconciliation in the region, said the communique.

Mkapa left for home Wednesday after concluding a four-day official visit to Ethiopia.

Mkapa has been president of Tanzania since he was elected in 1995. Re-elected in 2000, he is constitutionally ineligible to stand for a third five-year term and is expected to step down after presidential elections on October 30.

Source: Xinhua