Addis Ababa, July 22 (ENA)--Ethiopia and Djibouti have expressed desire to further consolidate the existing bilateral relations between the two sisterly countries, presidents of the two countries said.

During talks at the National Palace here on Monday, President Girma Wolde-Giorgis and Djiboutian president Ismail Omar Guelleh said the governments of the two countries were also exerting utmost efforts to enhance the people to people relations in the years ahead.

Ethiopia and Djibouti have recently taken constructive measures believed to be instrumental in revitalizing their cooperation particularly in the political and socio-economic spheres, the presidents indicated.

They said the two countries were exerting joint efforts to realize the prevalence of peace and in the horn of Africa in accordance with the established principles of the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Ethiopia and Djibouti have signed over 30 agreements in trade and investment as well as port utilization and air transport since 1993, among others.

A joint ministerial commission and a follow-up committee were also established to oversee the implementation of the various agreements concluded.

Leaders and senior government officials of the two countries have paid official visits to each country in a bid to strengthen the existing bilateral cooperation.

The Ethio-Djibouti diplomatic ties, which started at consulate level prior to the independence of Djibouti has been raised to ambassadorial level in 1980.

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