Addis Ababa, Dec. 28 (ENA)--A ten-member Ethio-Yemeni joint technical committee was set up on Friday with a view to helping implement the protocol agreement signed between the two countries particularly in the areas of oil, gas and mineral exploration.

Speaking at the joint technical committee meeting here on Friday, State Minister of Mine, Sinknesh Ejigu said that the establishment of the joint committee was effected in accordance with the " executive program " agreement signed late February 2001.

She said the formation of the joint committee would also play a crucial role in further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries.

According to the agreement, the two countries are expected to encourage their respective private sectors to enter into joint investment schemes of mine development endeavors, Sinkinesh said.

Yemeni deputy Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources, Abdulmalik Mohamed Alama, on his part has expressed his government's keen desire to deepen ties with Ethiopia in the mine development sector.

The five-man Yemeni delegation led by Abdulmalik Mohamed Alama arrived here on Thursday to pay a five-day working visit to Ethiopia.

(ENA)