Addis Ababa (FBC)–Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn held discussion with Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson in Addis Ababa yesterday (March 16).
During their discussion, both agreed that there was great potential for the bilateral relations to advance further, building on existing co-operation.
Both welcomed the jobs compact announced during the UN General Assembly meetings in September 2016 as a concrete example of how the two countries can work together to improve opportunities both for Ethiopians and for refugees from the region.
Prime Minister Hailemariam and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson shared their serious concerns about the drought affecting the Horn of Africa region.
Both welcomed the relief efforts, including the £11.5m contribution to support Ethiopia announced by the UK Secretary of State for International Development during her visit to Addis Ababa in January 2017. But both recognized that further urgent action would be required if conditions on the ground are not to deteriorate further.
They also discussed Somalia and new developments following the recent elections.
Given the UK’s leading role on Somalia in the UN Security Council and Ethiopia’s role as a neighbor and major troop contributor including to the African Union Mission, the two countries have a shared desire to work with the new Somali government to respond to the drought, to improve stability and security.
Prime Minister Hailemariam confirmed his intention to attend the London Conference on Somalia in May, and both governments looked forward to this as an important occasion to consolidate a new comprehensive partnership with Somalia for 2018 and beyond.
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See also:
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- Ethiopia, JICA Sign Loan Agreement for Women Entrepreneurship Development Project
- Italy Gives 5 Million Euros Soft Loan for Strengthening Ethiopia’s Health Infrastructure