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by Dayan Tadesse - Ethiopian Herald
28 February 2007
ADDIS ABABA – Member States of the Sana’a Forum for Cooperation expressed their desire and firm commitment to work together to achieve durable peace, Security and sustainable development in the Horn of Africa and the Southern Red Sea.
In a 20-point Joint Communiqué leaders of Ethiopia, Yemen, the Sudan and Somalia issued at the conclusion of the 5th Summit of the forum yesterday, expressed their collective commitment to take the new positive opportunity created in Somalia with the action of Ethiopia in response to the Transitional Federal Gov- ernment’s (TFG) request and restore peace and stability in that country.
Appreciating the initiative of the TFG to bring about national reconciliation through dialogue, the summit called on all Somalis to renounce all forms of violence and acts of terrorism and exert efforts to reconcile their differences and also reconstruct their country.
The Summit urged the international community to assist the Somali people and the TFG to consolidate the existing peace and stability in that country through providing unconditional tangible political, economic, financial, logistical as well as humanitarian assistance.
Expressing their full support for all relevant decisions of IGAD. AU, and the UN Security Council resolution the leaders called for rapid deployment of an African peace mission in Somalia.
The leaders condemned all acts of violence, extremism and international terrorism in all its manifestation and called for building the capacity of forum member states as well as strengthening cooperation among them to combat terrorism.
Meanwhile, in his opening remark at the summit held at the National Palace, prime Minsiter Meles Zenawi said that the Forum has accomplished much over the past years and would be even more promising in the future.
According to the Premier, the Forum is a necessity for all member states due to the common security concern they share.
President of the Republic of Somalia Abdullahi Yusuf on his part said: “The wave of active hostility in Somalia has already come to an end and the task of realizing a well-governed and peaceful Somalia is doable, advancing fast and within reach.”
According to the communiqué, cooperation in the areas of trade, investment and tourism has been expanding among member states.
On the occasion the initiated agreement for the establishment of the Secretariat of the Sana’a Forum for Cooperation has been signed.
Similarly a Framework Agreement for the promotion of Banking Relations and a bilateral agreement on Avoidance of double taxation between Ethiopia and the Sudan have been signed.
The leaders have discussed a wide range of issues related to the situations in their countries and accepted Sudanese request to host the 6th Summit of the Forum.
Ethiopia has taken-over the chairmanship from the Republic of Yemen.