Addis Ababa, April 26, 2011 (Addis Ababa, ENA) - Africa and United States of America needs to work together on areas of counter terrorism and airborne related illicit activities is increasingly become evident , the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affair Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn said.
Speaking at the Africa Air Chiefs Conference held here on Tuesday, Hailemariam said the cooperation between the two parties is increasingly becoming important since Africa particularity, eastern part borders with the major sea lanes where important maritime commercial traffic takes place, is attracting the attention of international terrorists and pirates.
He said some of the illicit activities include hostage taking of oil tankers and cargo ships, others include shipment of weapons using aircraft destined to Somalia, which has actually been under UN arms embargo.
Hailemariam said since there are states which violate the UN imposed arms embargo on Somalia, considering more practical regional instruments within the framework of international law is important.
He said if Africa and US work together such violators of international law would be held accountable.
U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, General Norton Schwartz on his part said U.S. security interests in Africa are best served by building long term partnerships with African countries, regional organizations, and the African Union.
"An Africa that can generate and sustain broad-based economic development will contribute to global growth, which is a long standing American interest.’ He said quoting General Carter Ham as saying.
According to a press statement from American embassy, some 30 African air force air chiefs or their deputies, the leadership and representatives from U.S. Air Forces Africa (AFAFRICA), officials from U.S. Africa Command, and representatives from civilian agencies and regional organizations that deal with aviation issues are among the participants.
Speaking at the Africa Air Chiefs Conference held here on Tuesday, Hailemariam said the cooperation between the two parties is increasingly becoming important since Africa particularity, eastern part borders with the major sea lanes where important maritime commercial traffic takes place, is attracting the attention of international terrorists and pirates.
He said some of the illicit activities include hostage taking of oil tankers and cargo ships, others include shipment of weapons using aircraft destined to Somalia, which has actually been under UN arms embargo.
Hailemariam said since there are states which violate the UN imposed arms embargo on Somalia, considering more practical regional instruments within the framework of international law is important.
He said if Africa and US work together such violators of international law would be held accountable.
U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, General Norton Schwartz on his part said U.S. security interests in Africa are best served by building long term partnerships with African countries, regional organizations, and the African Union.
"An Africa that can generate and sustain broad-based economic development will contribute to global growth, which is a long standing American interest.’ He said quoting General Carter Ham as saying.
According to a press statement from American embassy, some 30 African air force air chiefs or their deputies, the leadership and representatives from U.S. Air Forces Africa (AFAFRICA), officials from U.S. Africa Command, and representatives from civilian agencies and regional organizations that deal with aviation issues are among the participants.
No comments:
Post a Comment