Horn of Africa much safer now: PM Meles

" I can't say the Horn of Africa is very stable and safe but I cannot say that it is deteriorating either," Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said in an inverview with Al Jazeera TV on Thursday. The Prime Minister said the Horn of Africa is much safer now than it was in December. "... In spite of the conflict in Somalia and the tension in Eritrea, the Horn of Africa is doing very well economically."
Meles said his country which houses the bulk of the region's population is doing very well economically. "We are going ahead with all our plans." Asked about what implications the recent kidnapping could have to relations with Eritrea, Meles said, "We in Ethiopia look at this not in isolation but in the context of previous activities of the Eritrean government to try and destabilise Ethiopia."
Eight Ethiopians are still being held hostage after they had been kidnapped very near the Eritrean border, along with five Europeans, who were released after 12 days in captivity. (March 23, 2007, ENA)

African Ministers to consult on strategies for meeting the MDGs

African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development will meet to discuss how to accelerate growth on the continent to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) from April 2-3 in Addis Ababa, UNECA said. A statement sent to Ethiopian News Agency on Friday said the meeting will feature a panel discussion involving pertinent bodies and eminent economists. One important area for discussion will be the design of the right mix of interventions that African countries need to implement in order to accelerate growth and development.
The meeting is also expected to discuss issues on growth, employment and inequality in Africa, scaling up financing and public sector investments, peace and security, partnerships and globalization as well as planning, monitoring and tracking economic performance.
The theme of the conference is: Accelerating Africa's Growth and Development to meet the MDGs: Emerging Challenges and the way forward.
In addition to the Ministers, more than 200 participants including central bank governors, leading academics and researchers, and international partners are expected to take part in the meeting. (March 23, 2007, ENA)

Ethiopia at promising stage to meet MDGs: Speaker

The development activities in education, heath and in other sectors in Ethiopia indicated that the country is at a promising stage to meet the Millennium Development Goals, Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representative, Ambassador Teshome Toga said.
The Speaker attended the 7th African, Caribbean,Pacific - European (ACP/EU) joint Parliamentary conference in Belgium, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Holding talks with Belgium Parliament President, Hermon De Croo, Ambassador Teshome said Ethiopia has registered economic growth for four successive years.
The speaker said Ethiopia is willing for establishment of Ethio-Belgium friendship committee.
The Belgium Parliament president on his part said strengthening the long-standing Ethio-Belgium relations is deemed necessary.
Meanwhile, the speaker, while holding discussion with UN Horn of Africa Human affairs special envoy, Kjell Bonderick, said Ethiopia has been providing priority to ensure food security.
In a discussion also with European Parliament Development Chairperson, Joseph Borrell Fonteless, Ambassador Teshome said the democratization process in Ethiopia has been firmly founded. (March 23, 2007, ENA)

Council discusses, pass decisions on two agendas

The Council of Ministers in its 31st regular meeting Friday discussed and passed decisions on two agendas.
The council discussed and passed decision on investment promotion and protection accord signed between the government of Ethiopia and Belgium Luxemburg Economic Union, the Office of the Prime Minster said in a statement it sent to Ethiopian News Agency.
The Council referred it to the House of Peoples' Representatives for endorsement in view of its significance for the expansion of investment in Ethiopia.
The council also discussed on the bill on the agreement signed among members of Sana'a Cooperation Forum to work jointly to prevent contraband and illegal trade in member countries.
Implementation of the agreement would enable Ethiopia to better tackle problems related to contraband and illegal trade by sharing relevant experiences with the signatories. The Council referred it to the House. (March 23, 2007, ENA)

Town eyes at luring investment during millennium festival

The Kombolcha town administration, South Wollo Zone of the Amhara State, said it has designated an over 100 hectares of land as industrial site.
Manager of the town administration, Seyid Yassin told Ethiopian News Agency recently that the industrial site has been designated as part of activities to make use of the Ethiopian Millennium as opportunity to attract investments, local and foreign alike.
Seyid said the necessary physical infrastructure facilities have already been constructed at a cost of ten million Birr. Three-star hotels have already been constructed in the town to provide efficient services to guests coming to the town for millennium celebrations.
The manager said a millennium celebration committee has already been formed. A 47 hectare industrial site was designated earlier on. (March 23, 2007, ENA)

Ethiopia to mark Millennium TB Day

Ethiopia will mark this year's World TB Day, March 24, as ‘Millennium TB Day' under the theme: TB Anywhere is TB Everywhere, the Ministry of Health said. The Day is to be marked in Ethiopia for the 10th time, which is the 27th internationally.
In a press briefing held here on Friday in connection with the day, State Minister of Health, Dr. Kebede Worku said the ministry has dedicated the day as Millennium TB Day with a view to mobilizing the public towards controlling and preventing the pandemic.
He said the Millennium TB Day is dedicated with a view to having a healthy and productive citizen in the coming millennium. He said the ministry has called for the participation of concerned individuals and organizations in the marking of the day as prevention and controlling of the diseases requires participation of all. (March 23, 2007, ENA)