Ethiopia needs to intensify its ongoing efforts to seek viable alternatives on the expansion of port development from the neighboring countries, scholars of law, political science and international relations currently lecturing at Dire Dawa University said. The scholars underlined that Ethiopia's pursuit of sea access and port ownership should not be limited to a single country. The academics emphasized that no one nation should be left out of Ethiopia's pursuit of sea access and port ownership. It is to be recalled that Ethiopia and Somaliland have inked a historical memorandum of understanding in Addis Ababa to expand on the alternatives that Ethiopia can exploit the facilities of sea route and port development in the region. Various sections of the Ethiopian society including scholars in the sector, representatives of political parties, renowned elders and various actors in the social stratum have continued to express their support for the agreement that is based on the principle of give and take and promotion of regional integration. Representatives of the various sectors of the society remarked that apart from providing an opportunity for alternative access to the sea and port development, the agreement would enable the countries in the region to increase their political, security and economic integration. Scholars at Dire Dawa University who talked to ENA remarked that the issue of access to the sea and port ownership, development and utilization is not an issue that would be limited to one country but should be exercised and promoted among the other countries in the region based on the principle of give and take and mutual development. Mekdes Kassahune, instructor at the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Dire Dawa University said Ethiopia should work on similar agreements with other countries based on the experience that the country has gained in entering into agreement with Somaliland. Securing access to the sea will be instrumental in accelerating comprehensive deve lopment efforts of the country and would bring forth and strengthen better results for the improvement of the basic livelihood needs of citizens and expedite regional integration, she added. Nani Debele, Political Science and International Relations lecturer noted that East Africa has now become a global focus area of support and contention on the issue of port development in the region. She remarked that Ethiopia's quest for access to the sea and ownership of ports should not be confined only to a single country. She further stressed that apart from providing alternative choices for Ethhiopia's desire for access to the sea and port development, Ethiopia's agreement with Somaliland will help to promote diplomatic relations and economic integration across the region. Instructor of law at the same university, Alemseged Dejene said Ethiopia lost access to the sea due to political ramifications that occurred in the country over the last several decades. He added that similar agreements that could be reached need to correct the mistakes that were committed on the issue once and for all. He added that ports are main outlets to the sea for a country and added that international law recognizes Ethiopia's right to have access to the sea and port development and that the country should continue to promote such efforts with the neighboring countries based on the principle of give and take. He said that similar agreements with countries in the region will promote mutual economic development and growth among these countries and will be useful as the first step to promote regional economic cooperation. It is to be recalled that ENA has provided media coverage for a panel discussion conducted by scholars and other stakeholders in the university on the topic ' Sea Ports and their comparative advantages for a nations development.' Source: Ethiopian News Agency