At the conclusion of the visit of the Ethiopian prime minister, agreements were signed on technical and scientific cooperation, a mixed commission on cooperation was to be established and a detailed program of activities for 1993-94 was reviewed. Israel would once again play a role in the development of the Ethiopian economy, agriculture, science, medicine and industry. Israel would train Ethiopians in its facilities and would establish an agricultural demonstration center in Ethiopia. Text:
The prime minister of the transitional Government of Ethiopia, Ato Tamirat Layne, paid an official visit to Israel between 8-12 May 1993 at the invitation of the prime minister of Israel, Mr. Yitzhak Rabin. The visiting prime minister was accompanied by a high-raking delegation, including the minister of foreign affairs, as well as other members of the cabinet and senior officials in charge of economic, agricultural. educational, commercial and health affairs.
In the course of his visit, Ato Tamirat had a friendly exchange of views with his host Mr. Rabin, with the foreign minister and other Israeli leaders. These discussions focussed on a wide range of local, regional and international issues and current developments concerning the Middle East and Africa.
The prime minister of Ethiopia had the occasion to visit the holy sites of Jerusalem and to examine the results of long-term planned regional and economic development in the Lachish region.
The prime ministers of Israel and Ethiopia expressed their common desire to give renewed content to the age-old tradition of fraternity and amity between their two nations. To this end, they signed an Agreement on Technical and Scientific Cooperation, as well as a Protocol for the establishment of a Mixed Commission on Cooperation. They noted with satisfaction the signing of a detailed program of cooperation activities to be implemented in 1993-94. In the course of the meeting between the prime minister of Ethiopia and the minister of foreign affairs of Israel, it was agreed that the latter visit Ethiopia in the near future. During the visit, the first session of the Mixed Commission would be held.
The prime ministers noted with satisfaction the positive beginning of these activities and stressed the importance of strong ties in the agricultural, economic, commercial, scientific, cultural and medical fields. Such ties should be strengthened by the encouragement of private sector cooperation to participate in the development of the considerable economic, agricultural and industrial potential of Ethiopia. The two leaders agreed that the enhancement of manpower capacity would continue to be a priority of Israel's program of cooperation through increased training of Ethiopian cadres in Israel and in Ethiopia itself. In addition to training scholarships and the services of experts and consultants in various fields, Israel would establish an agricultural demonstration center in Ethiopia.
The prime minister of Israel expressed the sympathy and support of his people for Ethiopia's efforts to achieve peace, prosperity, social justice and national solidarity based on the recognition of the rich diversity of Ethiopia's people and cultures, after decades of war, famine and oppression.
The prime minister of Ethiopia expressed the understanding and support of his people and voiced his hope that the ongoing peace negotiations would create the foundation for regional understanding, cooperation and development, free of the threat of war and hatred and in the context of security, fairness and justice for all parties. In this regard, he further expressed his conviction that the current Middle East peace process deserved the active support of the world community in general and Africa in particular, whose people understand from their own difficult experience the value of peace and the grave implications of its absence.
Both prime ministers agreed that extremism of whatever kind has no place in civilized society, both in the national and international contexts. They agreed to contribute their share towards the prevalence of peace, reason, understanding and tolerance in their respective regions and international society at large.
Finally, His Excellency Ato Tamirat Layne, prime minister of the transitional Government of Ethiopia extended an invitation to His Excellency Yitzhak Rabin, prime minister of Israel, to visit Ethiopia at his earliest convenience. The invitation was accepted with pleasure and it was agreed that the date of the visit will be decided through diplomatic channels.
This joint communique was signed in Jerusalem on 12 May 1993.
For the Ethiopian side by:
Mr. Ato Tamirat Layne
Prime Minister of the
Transitional Government
of Ethiopia
For the Israeli side by:
Mr. Yitzhak Rabin
Prime Minister of the State
of Israel