Prime Minister Hailemariam yesterday headed a high level delegation on an official visit to Djibouti yesterday (December 12th).

The delegation included the new Foreign Minister, Dr. Tedros Adhanom. The Prime Minister was attending the celebration of laying the corner-stone at commencement of construction of the new Tadjoura port. His visit was also to foster closer ties between the two countries. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Ethiopia's commitment to cooperation with Djibouti, citing the various agreements on rail, electricity and port projects currently being implemented between both countries.

Djiboutian President, Ismail Omar Guelleh, underlined the fact that on completion, the new port would adequately address the needs of both countries. It will also bring development to the north of Djibouti. Tadjourah is going to be provided with a rail link to the Afar, Amhara and Tigrai Regional States of Ethiopia.

This will also provide for the export of the substantial potash deposits being developed in the Afar Regional State. The Canadian company, Alana Potash has an indicated resource of 1.3billion tonnes of potash in its concession and is expected to start production in 2014. In September it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Djibouti Port and Free Zones authority to build a potash terminal at Tadjourah.