Ethiopian News Agency (ENA)
Addis Ababa
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Seyoum Mesfin told journalists that the two sides have held discussions on the current political and military situation in Somalia.
Seyoum said the demolition of the extremist forces in Somalia shows the liquidation of the terrorist danger that had been threatening Somalia, Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa region as a whole.
Though it is not time to say the terrorist group would not commit any damages in the future, it is possible to say that the danger posed by the terrorist forces on Ethiopia has been dissolved, he said.
Seyoum also indicated that the two leaders noted that Somalia, which was stateless for the past 16 years, has now entered the path to peace and stability, and added that the two sides have exchanged views on activities due to be carried out in the future.
President Abdullahi Yousuf Ahmed on the occasion said that he would attach due emphasis on ways of ensuring peace and stability in that country with consensus among and accommodating various political powers in Somalia.
The president also indicated his readiness to carry out activities aimed at forming a strong central government with the participation of the Somali people.
Prime Minister Meles on his part said the Ethiopian government would provide the necessary assistance for the realization of targets set by the Somalian TFG.
Meles also told the president that Ethiopia would support the efforts of the TFG aimed at bringing about peace and stability through establishing security, defence and police force that involves all sections in Somalia.
As Ethiopian defence forces are concluding their mission in Somalia, the two sides have agreed to jointly appeal for the deployment of African peacekeeping force in a bid to avoid possible security vacuum.
The discussion between the two leaders was effective and conducted with mutual understanding, the minister said.
Source: ENA, Jan 07, 2007