ACP SECRETARIAT
PRESS RELEASE
Addis Ababa, 16 February 2004

Diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Reinforcement of Intra-ACP cooperation

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Mr. Seyoum MESFIN and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Commerce of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Mr. Louis STRAKER, have signed today, 16 February 2004 in Addis Ababa, a joint Communiqué for the establishment of diplomatic relations between their countries. The signing took place in the margins of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly Session being held from 16 to 19 February 2004.

The ceremony was attended by : Mr. Walter FRANCOIS, MP from Saint Lucia, Mr. G. BULLEN, Ambassador of Eastern Caribbean States in Brussels, Mr. Berhane GEBRE CHRISTO, Ethiopian Ambassador in Brussels, Dr. Arnold THOMAS, Minister-Counsellor in the Embassy of the Eastern Caribbean States in Brussels, Mr St CLAIR PRINCE, Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Renwick ROSE and Mr. Alioune SENGHOR, Chief Legal Counsel representing the Secretary-General of the ACP Group.

Hon. Seyoum MESFIN welcomed the fact that the Communiqué was being signed on the occasion of the 7th session of the JPA being held in Addis Ababa, which he considered an honour for Ethiopia to host.

He emphasized that the signing of the Communiqué heralded a new era in relations between their two countries, adding that Ethiopia and the Caribbean share a common historical heritage, cultural values and common aspirations which could constitute fertile ground for dynamic cooperation between their respective peoples.

Concluding, Hon. MESFIN said his country had high expectations from the diplomatic relations established with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, not only at bilateral level, but equally at multilateral level, within the ACP framework, as well as within all international forums.

For his part, the Deputy Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Mr. Louis H. STRAKER, thanked the Ethiopian authorities for all the attention accorded him and his delegation since his arrival in Addis Ababa.

He expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality of the Ethiopian people, especially as manifested during his visits to economic and social projects, as well as to other places in the city of Addis Ababa.

Hon. STRAKER transmitted to the Government and people of Ethiopia a message of friendship from the Governor-General, Sir Frederic BALLANTYNE, and Prime Minister, Dr Ralph GONSALVES of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the Government and People of Ethiopia laying stress on the pride and great source of hope and inspiration Ethiopia constitutes to the peoples of the Caribbean, especially its poets, artistes and musicians, including late Bob Marley of world fame. Morever, Ethiopia means much to the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, not only as a place but as a state of mind.

Hon. STRAKER, too, considered that such a common heritage must enable the two countries to move towards a dynamic and fruitful cooperation not only between their governments but, above all, between their peoples, whose brotherliness will henceforth become strengthened through regular contacts and the free movement of citizens from one country to the other. Both Ministers underlined the need to facilitate, as much as possible, the movement of their citizens, especially through the visa abolition. They further stressed the need for regular consultations between their countries not only within the ACP framework, but wherever that may be required.

Minister MESFIN confirmed that Prime Minister GONSALVES has accepted an invitation from the Prime Minister of Ethiopia to visit Ethiopia later this year.

After signing the Communiqué and exchanging documents, Honourables Seyoum MESFIN and Louis H. STRAKER held private discussions on bilateral and international issues of common interest.