The 15th Djibouti-Ethiopian Joint Ministerial Commission meeting was held in January 2019 in Djibouti, reflecting to speed up the bilateral relations for economic growth
Both governments are engaged in a process of reform aimed, inter alia, to encourage their nationals to engage fully and practically in the creation of employment opportunity for youth, expand the structures of democracy, buttress ongoing economic progress, and respect the rights of the people.
This Joint Ministerial Commission meeting showcased the renewed commitment of both countries to resolve all pressing issues and underline their determination to work closely together on peace and stability in the region and to support economic development and regional integration.
The Ethiopian side commended the government of Djibouti for taking steps to improve relations with Eritrea. Djibouti appreciated Prime Minister Dr Abiy’s bold moves to encourage tranquillity in the region. The initiatives for peace provided a firm jumping off point to encourage youth to participate in the current wind of hope, change and confidence.
The agreements included bolstering cooperation on criminal matters, formulating plans for ensuring regular, safe and orderly migration on the basis of the spirit of the Marrakech Agreement, and producing a new comprehensive agreement on labour issues, as well as enhancing existing cooperation on peace and security issues bilaterally and within the framework of IGAD, the African Union and the United Nations.
The second distinctive feature of the Joint Ministerial Commission meeting was that it served as a venue to navigate the future of this symbolic cooperation and make clear the way forward for moving towards the dream of the “Africa we want in 2063.”
Important milestones like the Continental Free Trade Area brokered by the African Union and signed up to by 44 of its 55 member states, in Kigali last year, can best be materialised if meaningful efforts are undertaken at a regional level. Allowing free access to commodities, goods and services across the continent are prerequisites to African unity. This was clearly shown by Ethiopia and Djibouti, both signatories to the CFTA, in expediting implementation of their bilateral Border Trade Protocol and General Trade Agreement at the JMC meeting.
The 15th Djibouti-Ethiopia Joint Ministerial Commission meeting also provided the opportunity for important dialogue and a realistic working platform to further speed up the pace of cooperation and economic integration. It called for credible steps to resolve any outstanding issues, agreeing to implement solutions to encourage the continued upward spiral of economic links and joint peace and stability. It emphasised the need to forge closer follow-up of agreements, and to hone capacity to manage the systems underpinning prosperity and security. The meeting strongly underlined the value of holding bilateral dialogues regularly to encourage the advancement of the joint common agenda for the greater common good.
