CAIRO, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Egypt welcomed on Monday the signing of an agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia to end their two decades of dispute.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's visit to Eritrea had started new relationship between the two countries in order to reach security and stability in the region, Egyptian foreign ministry said that in a statement.

Egypt also hopes that the deal would be a model for all countries suffering from disputes in Africa.

The ministry reiterated that Egypt is keen to enhance cooperation with Eritrea, Ethiopia and other African countries in order to cement stability and development.

A delegation led by Ahmed on Monday signed a peace declaration with its Eritrean counterparts to end mutual hostilities, settle border disputes and resume economic, political and diplomatic ties.

Speaking to media in Addis Ababa after his return from Eritrean capital Asmara, Ethiopia Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu said there will be a technical committee to resolve the countries' bitter border dispute and help implement the peace agreement signed in Algiers in 2000.

On June 5, the executive committee of the Ethiopian ruling party passed a decision, expressing commitment to an unconditional implementation of Algiers peace agreement with Eritrea.

The peace deal ended a two-year border war from 1998 to 2000 that killed an estimated 70,000 people from both sides, but a tense armed standoff continued, with the two countries engaging in skirmishes occasionally.