The governments of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and Islamic Republic of Pakistan have agreed to establish a comprehensive mechanism to further strengthen the rapidly growing bilateral ties by enhancing bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation in diverse fields.
The consensus to this effect was developed during a meeting between Minister of State of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia Ambassador Mesganu Arega and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Both the dignitaries held productive discussion on range of issues to bolster bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation between the two brotherly countries.
They also discussed matters of mutual interests including political, economic and social cooperation.
The meeting was also attended by the senior ministers of the government of Ethiopia, Ambassador of Ethiopia Jemal Beker Abdula.
Mr Mesganu Arega, while speaking on the occasion said the visit of high-powered official and business delegations to Pakistan demonstrated Ethiopia’s commitment to advance multi-faceted relations with Pakistan.
He said resumption of Ethiopian Airlines flight operations between Pakistan and Ethiopia would boost implementation on the “Look for Africa Initiative” of the government of Pakistan.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari while reciprocating the Ethiopian minister’s gesture of goodwill said Pakistan valued relations with Ethiopia.
He recalled opening of the Embassy of Pakistan in Ethiopia in the government’s tenure of his grandfather Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto which marked beginning of a long and fruitful partnership between the two countries.
Later, both the ministers of held a joint press briefing.
While responding to a question, Bilawal Bhutto said, “We are witnessing a momentous period in history of Ethiopia Pakistan relations as Ethiopian Airlines resumed its direct flights between Addis Ababa and Karachi and the Ethiopian government established its embassy in Islamabad.”
The resumption of flight was a “significant milestone” in our bilateral relations, he added.
“It is a bridge that will bring our people and rich cultures closer together and it will open a new avenue for enhancing trade and investment links and open up endless possibilities for collaboration in various fields such as tourism, education and technology,” he remarked.
