Addis Ababa Feb 7 (ENA)--President Girma Woldegiorgis said here on Thursday that the Ethio-Egyptian economic cooperation should cement on the joint endeavors envisaged to develop of the Nile basins.

Conferring with the Egyptian delegation led by chairperson of Irrigation and Agricultural Committee for the Senate, Engineer Ibrahim Saad Hagras, President Girma has underscored the key role that could be played by the governments of the two countries in helping implement the Nile Basin Initiatives (NBI).

A spokesperson of the ministry of foreign affairs quoted the president as saying that the NBI is thought to be instrumental in expediting economic development among the riparian countries.

The delegation has assured president Girma of Egypt's commitment to exploit the potential of the Nile basins in cooperation with the riparian countries on the basis of mutual trust and understanding.

Meanwhile, President Girma received the credentials of the newly appointed Kenyan Ambassador to Ethiopia, Richard Okwaro.

During talks with Ambassador Okwaro, President Girma said that Ethiopia and Kenya should forge strong ties to help bring about a durable peace and stability in Somalia and the Horn at large.

As Ethiopia and Kenya most suffer the spillover in the stateless Somali, they should exert relentless effort to bring about a negotiated peace in that war-torn country, Girma said.

According to the spokesperson, President Girma said that the two countries should also bolster their bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, investment and infrastructure as part of endeavors to extricate their peoples from the biting poverty and backwardness.

Briefing Journalists on the occasion, Ambassador Okwaro said that preparation is underway to convene a conference in Kenya soon with a view to helping establish an all-inclusive and broad-based government in Somalia in accordance with the decision passed by IGAD recently.

President Girma has also received and conferred with the newly appointed Ambassador to Ethiopia of Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, Barrie Ireton.

According to the spokesperson, the two officials have held talks about current issues of their countries and other issues of mutual concern.

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