Addis Ababa, Feb.6(ENA)--The governments of Ethiopia and the Netherlands signed on Wednesday an agreed minutes reflecting a consensus reached between the two parties on future cooperation in the fields of development.

After holding thorough consultations, the two sides have agreed future cooperation to concentrate in the areas of education, food security and health, according to a joint press statement issued by the two sides.

The Netherlands government has allocated a total of 590 million Birr to the implementation of ongoing, pipeline and new projects in Ethiopia during 2002-2004, the statement said.

The two parties have underlined the importance of aligning the collaboration with in the context of the Poverty Reduction Strategy.

State Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mulu Ketsela and Ambassador of Netherlands to Ethiopia, Rob Vermaas signed the agreement.

(END)