President Girma Opens Parliament

(10/10/2006)

President Girma Wolde-Giorgis has opened the Ethiopian Parliament with an address that has identified the strengthening of the democratisation process as being key among the government’s priorities for the country over the course of the year ahead.

Speaking at the opening of the second session of the third House of Peoples’ Representatives and the House of the Federation yesterday, President Girma said

“a system where good governance prevails not only allows the people’s rights and interests to be protected but also provides the opportunity for stability and acceleration of economic development.”

“As the people remain the main force of development in the country, the prevalence of good governance is of paramount importance in mobilising them to ensure and safeguard their own interests.”

The process of reforming the organisational structure and attitudes within government institutions based on the civil service reform and ensuring these institutions fulfill their roles in bringing about rapid economic development and good governance would be pursued with “strengthened vigour and determination”, the President said.  

The President also spoke of a proclamation defining the rights and responsibilities of non-governmental organisations, as well as draft Bills regarding the reorganisation of the National Electoral Board and anti-terrorism legislation, draft proclamations on the establishment of a commodity exchange system, small and mirco businesses, construction standards and land and related issues, as being among the raft of proposed legislation that will come before the House over the next year

Members from both parliamentary Houses and representatives of the diplomatic corps and other invited guests attended the opening ceremony.

To read the speech in full click here.

To watch the President's speech in the original Amharic using Windows Media Player go to http://www.waltainfo.com/ETV/Oct/parlama.asx

ENDS