He briefed them on activities of the House, especially about the reform it has been undertaking since last year to better respond to demands of the people, build strong democratic institutions and modernize the parliament.

The Speaker added that the parliament is discharging its responsibility to make the 2020 Ethiopia’s general election free, fairs and democratic.

Tagesse Chaffo expressed his hope that representatives of new political parties will join the parliament after the election.

Tomas Tobe, member of the European Parliament and head of the delegation, said the visit is aimed discussing ways to further boost the inter-parliamentary relations between Ethiopia and the European Union (EU).

Members of the delegation reaffirmed their commitment to support the ongoing reform programs in the country and the upcoming general elections.

The delegation yesterday met with Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew to discuss the ongoing inclusive reform in Ethiopia and ways to bolster the strategic ties between the EU and the Horn of African nation.

The delegation also met with Chief Administrator of Somali regional state, Mustefe Mohammed, in Jigjiga this morning.

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His compatriots Dawit Arega and Aweke Ayalew clocked 2:07:10 and 2:07:12 respectively to ensure a podium sweep for Ethiopia.

Megertu Alemu and Meskerem Assefa finished the women’s 2019 Frankfurt Marathon second and third in a time of 2:21:00 and 2:22:01, respectively. Kenya’s Valary Aiyabei won the race in a new course record of 2:19:10.

In 2018, 33-year-old Meskerem won the race in 2:20:36 taking off 25 seconds off the course record set by compatriot Meselech Melkamu in 2012.

Similarly, Lencho Tesfaye of Ethiopia finished ahead of Kenyans Henry Kiprop and Andrew Kimtai to win the men’s Venice Marathon in Italy.

Lencho won in 2:10:49 while Kiprop and Kimtai clocked 2:10:55 and 2:11:58 respectively.

In Spain, Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha won the men’s Valencia Half Marathon in 59:05 just edging Kenya’s Bernard Ng’eno who clocked 59:07 and compatriot Jemal Mekonnen, who was third clocking 59:09.

Senbere Teferi from Ethiopia won the women’s race in 1:05:32 beating pre-race favourite Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands who finished in 1:05:53 while Kenya’s Joan Melly was third in 1:06:09.

Senbere wiped 13 seconds off the Ethiopian record she had set at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in Abu Dhabi in February.

Source: CGTN

Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed yesterday held consultation with Aba Gadas, religious leaders and representatives of the community in Oromia regional state.

Present at the discussion were also Lemma Megersa, Minister of Defense and Shimeles Abdisa, Deputy Chief Administrator of the regional state

The discussion mainly focused on current situation in the country in general and Oromia in particular.

At the event, the Prime Minister responded to questions raised by the participants regarding current national issues and unity of the people.

Raising their concern on circulation of disinformation different type of media platforms, participants on the occasion requested the government to ensure rule of law.

They also called for peaceful resolution of difference between various groups.

While replaying to the questions, the Prime Minister said “we all are expected to do our parts to strengthen the unity of the people by resolving our difference through constructive dialogue.”

He said “we don’t have interest to roll back the questions of the Oromo people and the federal system of governance. Anyone who doesn’t agree with our idea has to bring an option.”

Shimeles Abdisa for his part thanked all community members involved in bringing stability in areas affected by the recent instability. The regional state will work to ensure the benefit of the people.

Minister of Defense, Lemma Megersa for his part called on the people to stand united and be guardians of the hard-fought gains made by the Oromo people.

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Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian), the largest aviation group in Africa and SKYTRAX Certified Four Star Global Airline, has launched a passenger flight to Bengaluru, India on 27 October 2019.

The capital of the Indian state of Karnataka, Bengaluru is dubbed ‘Silicon Valley of India’ and serves as the center of technology and innovation.

Commenting on the launch of the service, Group CEO of Ethiopian, Mr. Tewolde Gebremariam, said “Ethiopian Airlines is a significant player in connecting India and Africa and beyond.

“The new four weekly flights will connect the important ICT hub city of Bengaluru to the ever-expanding Ethiopian network in addition to our twice daily flights each to the commercial city of Mumbai and the Capital New Delhi. The flights will also complement our existing dedicated freighter flights to/from Bengaluru.

“The addition of Bengaluru to our Indian network will give wider menu of choices to the fast-growing air travelers between India and Africa and beyond.

The increasing flight frequencies and number of gateways in India will facilitate trade, investment and tourism to/from the Indian sub-continent.

The schedule is carefully designed to connect passengers efficiently through our global hub in Addis Ababa with short connections and will provide the fastest and the shortest connections between Bengaluru in southern India and more than 60 destinations in Africa and South America.”

Currently, Ethiopian operates passenger flights to Mumbai and New Delhi as well as cargo service to Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi.

Dr Kuang Tutlan, State Minister of Mines and Petroleum, told Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) that his office is waiting for the Council of Ministers’ approval of the deal signed between Ethiopia and Djibouti to begin the construction.

He said the construction of the pipeline will be commenced once the deal is approved by the Council.

The crude oil production launched on a test basis in Ogaden region, eastern part of Ethiopia, a year ago is yielding good results.

According to him 3,900 barrels have been supplied to markets so far from the gas field developed by the Chinese Poly-GCL Petroleum Investment Limited in the Ogaden region, Somali regional state.

Currently, there is also one million barrels of crude oil reserves.

The two countries signed the agreement on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Summit in the Russian resort city of Sochi.

The document creates a legal basis for cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, including Russia’s assistance in the establishment and development of Ethiopia’s nuclear infrastructure facilities, nuclear and radiation security regulations and physical protection of nuclear materials, radiation sources and nuclear storage sites.

The agreement also provides for cooperation in accounting for and control of nuclear materials, radioactive substances and waste, basic and applied research related to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, production of radioisotopes and their use in industries, medicine and agriculture, as well as cooperation in the use of radiation technologies and nuclear medicine and nuclear personnel training.

Russia’s Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation pointed out that the agreement would pave the way for dialogue in the nuclear industry, as well as for the implementation of specific projects. A joint coordination committee will be set up to facilitate the two countries’ nuclear cooperation.

Ethiopia and Russia will particularly collaborate in research, expert exchange, the organization of seminars and conferences, and scientific information exchange.

The agreement will also make it possible for the parties to consider the possibility of constructing a nuclear research center in Ethiopia.

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