Addis Ababa, June 5, 2018 (FBC) -Ethiopia has agreed to implement the Algiers Agreement and decisions of the Ethio-Eritrea Boundary Commission.

The decision was made today by the Executive Committee of the ruling party the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).
After reviewing the current Ethio-Eritrea situation, the Committee decided the dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea to end and underscored the need to maintain peace between people of the two countries.
The Algiers Agreement was a peace agreement between the governments of Eritrea and Ethiopia signed on December 12, 2000, at
Algiers, Algeria for the formal end of Ethio-Eritrean war.
The war was fought by the two countries from 1998 to 2000.

Addis Ababa, June 5, 2018 (FBC) –Executive Committee of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) in its today’s session has passed decision to partially liberalize the economy.

The move is aimed at increasing the constructive role of Ethiopian Diaspora and potential foreign investors in Ethiopia’s fast growing economy, said the Committee in a statement sent to FBC today.
Accordingly, decision has been made to expand mixed ownership or outright full privatization of state-owned enterprises such as railway projects, sugar development projects, industrial parks, hotels and other manufacturing industries.
The committee also put directions to transfer Ethio-telecom, Ethiopian Airlines, electric power generation projects, the Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics Services Enterprise private sector, with the government having the majority stake.

Addis Ababa, June 5, 2018 (FBC) - The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa held a wreath-laying ceremony to honor Colonel John C. Robinson in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Ethiopian aviation and strengthening relations between the United States and Ethiopia.

Following a ceremony at Gulalle Cemetery, led by Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphael Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa, Ambassador Raynor delivered remarks highlighting the important role that Col. Robinson played in both countries’ histories.
He said, “The story of Col. John C. Robinson illustrates something that is sometimes overlooked when we talk about the relationship between the United States and Ethiopia, when we tend to focus on the important work that takes place between our two governments. But Col. Robinson’s story reminds us that the impact of our people-to-people relationships can be even greater.”
Col. Robinson is best known in Ethiopia for his efforts to support the development of the Ethiopian Air Force at the onset of World War II and later the foundation of Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest airline and one of the most successful in the world.
Col. Robinson’s efforts in Ethiopia gained attention in the United States, and helped change attitudes toward African Americans serving in the U.S. military, which paved the way for the Tuskegee Airmen, the first unit of all Black pilots, who went on to contribute significantly to the Allied victories in North Africa and Italy during World War II.
Today the aviation partnership between the United States and Ethiopia continues, with strong commercial partnerships between Ethiopian Airlines and American companies and close cooperation with U.S. agencies on airline safety and airport security.
Col Robinson’s legacy is also evident in ongoing cooperation between the United States and the Ethiopian Air Force, with the United States having just delivered a C-130 transport aircraft to support Ethiopia’s critical role in regional peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.
In addition to Ambassador Raynor, the ceremony was attended by Brigadier General Bareihs of the U.S. Air Forces Europe and Africa, Ethiopian Air Force Brigadier General Asfaw Mamecha, along with members of the Mississippi National Guard, representing Col. Robinson’s home state, and other members of the U.S. military.

Addis Ababa, June 5, 2018 (FBC) –Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed will pay an official visit to Uganda at the weekend.

It will be Dr Abiy’s first visit to Uganda since assuming office in April. He was elected as Prime Minister two months ago, replacing Hailemariam Desalegn who resigned.
The Premier is expected to attend Uganda’s national celebrations to mark the 29th Heroes’ Day Anniversary on June 9, 2018, The Independent reports.
Heroes’ Day has been celebrated since 1989 in recognition of Ugandans who had sacrificed their lives in the struggle to achieve national Independence, peace and democracy.
During the Heroes Day occasion, President Yoweri Museveni will award a special medal (The Most Excellent Order of the Pearl of Africa – The Grand Master) to PM Dr Abiy.
This is the Highest Order that is awarded to Heads of State and government.
So far, the Premier visited Djibouti, Sudan, Kenya, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Addis Ababa, June 5, 2018 (FBC) - Iran says it has begun work on increasing its uranium enrichment capacity, in case its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers collapses.

The head of Iran's atomic agency told reporters it was developing infrastructure to build advanced centrifuges at the Natanz facility.
The agency says it is officially notifying the United Nations' nuclear agency about the move in a letter.
President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the deal with Iran last month.
The head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, Ali Akbar Salehi, told reporters on Tuesday that preparations were under way to build new centrifuges.
"If we were progressing normally, it would have taken six or seven years, but this will now be ready in the coming weeks and months," he said.
The work will enable Iran to make more uranium hexafluoride - a key ingredient in the enrichment process.
Mr Salehi said this was in line with instructions from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who has ordered officials to be prepared to step up enrichment if the nuclear deal - known as JCPOA - falls apart completely.
"If the JCPOA collapses - please pay attention, if the JCPOA collapses - and if we decide to assemble new centrifuges, we will assemble new-generation of centrifuges. However, for the time being, we move within the framework of the JCPOA," Mr Salehi said.
Source: BBC

Addis Ababa, June 5, 2018 (FBC) –Executive Committee of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) started its two-day meeting today.

Sadat Nesha, public and international relations of EPRDF told FBC that the Committee will review the two and half years performances of the second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP-II).
At the end of the meeting, the Committee is expected to outline future directions, he noted.

Addis Ababa, June 5, 2018 (FBC) - Ethiopia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu is visiting Finland.

Today he met with President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö.
During the meeting, they discussed the long-standing cooperation between Finland and Ethiopia, which has been particularly fruitful in the education and water sectors.
Dr. Workneh expressed his hopes for more engagement and investment from the Finnish private sector into Ethiopia, particularly in the form of advanced technology and expertise.
The two also exchanged their views and analysis on their respective regions, including security and climate issues.
Dr Workneh held discussion with his Norwegian counterpart Ine Eriksen Soreide in Oslo, Norway yesterday.
The discussion focused on regional security, migration, development, and domestic political situation.
He also met the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense of the Norwegian Parliament. 
The two sides held broad discussion including global issues, regional and economic developments, job creation, and human rights issues, among others.

Addis Ababa, June 5, 2018 (FBC) –In its 29th regular session today, the House of People’s Representatives (HPR), passed the draft law proposed by the Council of Ministers to lift the State of Emergency.

The House passed the draft bill with majority in favor and 8 abstentions.
Ethiopia declared the State of Emergency in February 16, 2018.