Addis Ababa: Ethiopia’s Minister of Councils in its 32nd regular session held today has passed decisions on a number of economic, diplomacy and social issues.
The Council first discussed on four financial support and loan agreements made with the government of Italy, the African Development Bank (ADB), and International Development Association (IDA).
Among them are the 52 million USD obtained from ADB for the implementation of electric grid project in East Ethiopia, 10 million Euros obtained from the government of Italy for job creation and infrastructure development project as well as 255 million USD and 393 million USD secured from IDA for various development projects.
The council unanimously decided and referred the draft bills to the House of Peoples’ Representative for approval after thoroughly discussing on the bills and affirming that they are very much compatible with Ethiopia’s loan administration policy.
The other agenda tabled for the council of ministers were three draft proclamations and a re
gulation put forth by Immigration and Citizenship Service.
The first one was draft proclamation to amend immigration proclamation number 354/1995 aimed at ensuring the right of free movement, improving the quality and speed of immigration service delivery, establishing a coordinated border control and administration system among other things.
The second draft proclamation was prepared with the objective to reorganize the Immigration and Citizenship Service to render better services that fulfill the demands of citizens, ensures accountability and transparency, safeguards the national interests and security of the country.
The Council further discussed on the draft proclamation on Civil and Family Registration which is developed to make the service delivery of civil and family registration process efficient, accessible, transparent and effective.
The Council unanimously referred the draft bills to the House of Peoples’ representative for approval following extensive deliberations.
The council also discusse
d a proposed regulation to determine the fee charge for the services provided by the Immigration and Citizenship Service (ICS).
The draft regulations have been prepared for the need to expand the services provided by the institution, improve the quality of the services, and establish a system to cover the costs incurred to provide services in a manner that takes into account the capabilities of the user community.
After deeply discussing the draft regulation, the council unanimously decided to make it effective from the day it will be published in the Negarit Gazeta.
Finally, the council discussed on two bilateral agreements presented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The first is an agreement signed between the governments of Ethiopia and Russia to upgrade the air service agreement.
The other is an agreement made between the governments of Ethiopia and Indonesia to waive visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports.
Considering that if the agreements are approved, Ethiopia will further stren
gthen its bilateral relations, economic and social ties between the two countries as well as it will not harm the interests of the country and will not result in special obligations.
Therefore, the council referred the agreements to the House of Peoples Representatives for approval.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency
