by Presidential Press Service

Kenya and Ethiopia will jointly implement infrastructure projects essential to the development of both countries.

Speaking during a bilateral meeting in Addis Ababa ahead of the African Summit of the Group of Ten on Climate Change on Tuesday, President Kibaki and Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi expressed the need to implement joint projects to improve the lives of Kenyans and Ethiopians.

President Kibaki said plans were under way to put up a port in Lamu to be used by neighbouring countries as an outlet to the rest of the world.

The project is part of a second transport corridor scheme that includes construction of a railway line and tarmac road to Moyale.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister said his government would construct a railway line from Addis Ababa to Moyale to boost trade between the two countries.

The two leaders discussed the need to maintain peace along the common border by containing cattle rustling and curb influx of firearms and other weapons.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Igad and use it in promoting security and economic development in the region.

They supported the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia in its endeavour to address challenges in restoring peace in the Horn of Africa country.

The Kenya delegation at the bilateral talks included ministers Moses Wetang’ula, John Michuki, Yussuf Haji and Noah Wekesa and Assistant Minister Orwa Ojode.

At a separate function, President Kibaki held talks with a leading Saudi investor, Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Al-Amoudi, who paid him a courtesy call.

During the meeting, the President reiterated Kenya’s determination to create a conducive environment that would attract foreign investment to spur economic growth and create jobs for the youth.