EC commits 13.2 Euro in support of Polio eradication campaign in Ethiopia

(June 7, 2007, ENA) - The European Commission committed 13.2 million Euros in support of the Polio Eradication campaign in Ethiopia
The national vaccination campaign is expected to start on Friday, June 8, 2007and will go from house to house through all regions of Ethiopia and in the end is expected to reach more than 15.5 million children under the age of five.
Singing an agreement with World Health Organization Concerning the grant, Ambassador Tim Clark said the Commission highly values the efforts of the Ethiopian government and partners to eradicate polio in Ethiopia and the Continent.
Another full-scale national campaign will be conducted later this year, as well as other minor campaigns and surveillance to completely eradicate the polio virus.
According to a statement from European Commission the project is central to the aims of European Commission to help the Ethiopian Government reach the Millennium Development Goals.
Ethiopia used to be a polio-free country. But since 2004, outbreaks from neighboring countries have led to increasing infections within the country.

Sweden makes supplementary contribution to the African Development Fund

USD 30 million dollars in recognition of progress in Harmonization Agenda

(Tunis, 6 June 2007) - The government of Sweden has announced the release of a UA 20 million (approximately USD 30 million dollars) supplementary contribution to the African Development Fund (ADF)[1]. The contribution was part of an agreement reached during the tenth replenishment of the ADF stipulating that the funds would be released if the Bank made progress towards the objectives set out in the "Harmonization and Managing for Results Action Plan".[2]
The announcement was made in Tunis on Wednesday during a meeting of the ADF Board by the Alternate Executive Director for the constituency that includes the Nordic, Indian and Swiss member countries, Mr. Bjorn Gillsater. He informed Board members that the Swedish government had come to the conclusion, based on an assessment of progress made over the time period December 2005 and May 2007 that "the Bank had taken concrete and important steps towards the implementation of the Bank's harmonization agenda."

Consulate office working to expand market horizon in U.S.A. for Ethiopia’s exports

( June 7, 2007, ENA ) - The effort of expanding markets in the U.S. for Ethiopia’s textiles exports has been intensified, Ethiopian Consulate office in Western U.S.A. said.
An ETV reporter who travelled there quoted the Consulate General, Ambassador Taye Astkeselassie as having said that enhanced activities have got underway to supply Ethiopian textile products to markets in the U.S. in increased quantities.
During the last four years, the Ambassador said, wide promotional activities had been conducted on Ethiopian textiles in Western U.S.A..
Furthermore, the consulate has been providing continuing orientations to the fellow citizens on current situations in Ethiopia.
Preparations are also well underway to celebrate the millennium in Los Angles through establishing a Small Ethiopia Village. It is expected that this event will attract up to 10,000 African-Americans

Resolving border issues peacefully said crucial to ensure African development

( June 7, 2007 ,ENA) - Border issues between African countries should be resolved peacefully with a view to ensuring peace and security in the continent, Commissioner for peace and security of African Union, Said Djinnit said.
Speaking at the conclusion of a meeting of African border issues ministers and experts, the commissioner said peaceful demarcation between the countries would strengthen brotherhood among people.
Legal Affairs Directorate General with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Girma Amare on his part said experts, governmental and international organizations that conducted research on border issues submitted their ideas to committee of ministers of border issues.

The director said AU has been assisting and pressing countries for effective execution of border issues, principles and regulations.

ETC undertaking telecom installation, expansion projects

( June 7, 2007, ENA) - The Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation (ETC) said it has undertaken various telecom expansion projects at a cost of over 383 million Birr during the last nine months.
Corporate communication main department manager with corporation, Abdrehim Ahmed told Ethiopian News Agency on Thursday that his organization has carried out installation and expansion of various telecom infrastructures during the reported period.

ETC is taking various measures aimed at exhaustively utilizing its capacities in expansion of regular telephone services and attracting more subscribers across the nation, he said.
The corporation has been undertaking installation of microwave as well as extension of metro ring optical fiber cable in different Sub-cities of the metropolis.
The corporation has so far collected over 2.03 billion Birr from sales of services and international traffic of communications during the reported time, according to the manager.