By Tesfa Alem Tekle

December 28, 2009 (MEKELLE, Ethiopia) – Hundreds of delegates from bordering states of Ethiopia and Sudan on Monday gathered in Mekelle, capital town of the northern Tigray State to take part at the 12th meeting of Ethio-Sudanese Development and Boundary Commission.

Upon arrival at Mekelle’s Allula Abanega international Airport, the 135-member Sudanese delegation was warmly welcomed by Tigray regional president Tsegay Berhe, government officials, and with hundreds of residents in traditional closes waving both flags, singing and dancing traditional Ethiopian songs.

Shortly after the arrival of the big Sudanese delegation, the meeting was opened with an opening speech from representatives of both countries.

Opening the meeting Tigray state president, Tsegay Berhe delivered a wellcome speech to the Sudanese representatives. He explained the significance of such mutual collaboration and expressed readiness from Ethiopian side for a further scaled-up joint cooperation. Similar reaction was also heard from a Sudanese representative.

The four-day joint meeting will deliberate on matters of security, education, trade, health, control of illegal border trade and also on ways of preventing communicable diseases among others.

On accordance to agreements the joint commission reached in previous meetings, various activities, which benefit both people have been undertaken by states of the two countries.

The meeting will evaluate the performance on implementation of past agreements and will advice new strategies that best conquer shortcomings facing on implementation. The commission is also expected to pass new agreements that safeguard best interests of the brotherly people of the two countries.

A Sudanese musical team which came along with the big delegation is said to stage shows in the region as part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen people to people ties of Ethiopia and Sudan.

After the meeting, the Sudanese delegation will pay a visit to some historic places in the region. Organizers told Sudan Tribune.

Tigray, Benishangul-Gumuz, Amhara and Gambella are the States representing Ethiopia. While the Upper Nile, Blue Nile, Sener, and Geddarrif states will participate representing from the Sudanese side.

Officials at ministerial level are expected to take part in the meeting.

(ST)