Neighboring Countries and IGAD Affairs Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Mohamoud Dirir, said the meeting is vital to reinforce the people-to-people relations between the two countries.

The event is a platform that helps the two countries to share ideas that are beneficial to improve the livelihoods of people of the two countries, identify common challenges, and come up with solutions, he said.

The joint commission has carried out encouraging activities towards preventing human trafficking, movement of illicit firearms as well as contraband trade, Ambassador Mohamoud added.

Sulieman Umer Abdulkadir, head of Djiboutian delegation, said the two countries have strong and longstanding culture and economic relations

According to the head, the meeting will pass beneficial decisions which help to deal with problems regarding border trade and human trafficking, among others.

Ethiopia and Djibouti are heading towards economic integration. According to ENA the meeting will continue until March 15, 2018.

source fana