■ ALGERIA: Ethiopia, Algeria agree to set up Business Chamber; discuss possible air links.

Algeria and Ethiopia on Sunday June 30, signed a Declaration on Strategic Partnership aiming at boosting their existing, if currently tepid, bilateral relations. Under the declaration, thecountries will cooperate in various fields, namely health, cultural and economic, while an Algerian-Ethiopian Business Council will be set up to promote economic cooperation between the two countries. As a direct result, the possibility of establishing an air route between the two countries was also discussed.

Speaking at a joint press conference held in Algiers, Ethiopia's Foreign Minister, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and Algerian Foreign Minister, Mourad Medelci, said:

"Algeria and Ethiopia, which are bound by historical ties, seek to enhance their relations up to a higher level," Ghebreyesus told a press conference held jointly with Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci.

Ethiopia, Algeria bilateral negotiations (APS)

The Ethiopian FM, who is on an official visit to Algeria at the invitation of Medelci, said that the two countries have signed a Declaration on Strategic Partnership aiming at strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of trading and investment.

In this regard, he announced the forthcoming creation of an Algerian-Ethiopian Business Council, and the establishment of a legal framework to protect and promote investment between the two countries.

The two countries also seek to open a direct air route between Algiers and Addis Ababa, he added.

At present, while covering South, East and West Africa fairly extensively, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) has yet to truly develop its North African market with the exception of Cairo. Air Algérie (AH) has stated that it intends to develop its African network extensively though whether this will result in a service to Ethiopia is yet to be seen.