Ambassador Dina Mufti, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said yesterday (December 27th) that Ethiopia's power sale deals with neighboring countries is playing a pivotal role stabilizing and reinforcing the country's relations within the region.

Ambassador Dina explained that the power deals Ethiopia is making with neighboring countries will also have an important role in supporting the African Union's efforts towards continental integration. He said Ethiopia, which is designated as a power hub for the East Africa-wide power grid connection, is now connected with Djibouti, Kenya and Sudan. Mihret Debebe, the Chief Executive of the Ethiopian Electric and Power Corporation said that these power interconnectivities are being conducted after thorough studies of financial feasibility and of environmental impact assessments of the projects.

He said Ethiopia, the major country using Djibouti port, is strengthening its ties with Djibouti. It is now supplying 80% of Djibouti's electric power. He noted that efforts were now underway to balance the revenues earned from the sale of electric power to Sudan with expenditure on oil imported from Sudan