Addis Ababa, 26 January 2015 (WIC) – Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Tedros Adhanom received on Sunday (January 25) a Norwegian delegation led by Foreign Minister, Borge Brende.
The bilateral discussions of the two Foreign Ministers dwelt on numerous issues of common interest. Both Ministers exchanged views on the promotion of Ethio-Norway partnership and expanding the depth, breadth and scale of the relations of the two friendly countries.
Dr Tedros gave a briefing on Ethiopia’s renaissance journey, the ongoing IGAD-led peace talks as well as IGAD’s role in supporting the South Sudanese warring parties end conflict and advance the cause of peace and stability. Dr. Tedros noted that Ethiopia will remain committed to advancing peace and stability in the region and attaches special importance to dialogue to resolve disputes.
He also recalled the successful conclusion of the 53rd Extraordinary Meeting of the IGAD Council of Ministers held in Mogadishu on January 10, adding that the very fact that meeting was held in Mogadishu tells a lot about the improving security situation in Somalia.
Foreign Minister Borge Brende on his part noted that his visit to Addis Ababa is a demonstration of Norway’s commitment for the further strengthening of the bilateral ties with Ethiopia.
He also underscored that Norway stood committed to step up its cooperation with Ethiopia. The Foreign Minister underlined the need for further consolidation of the bilateral partnership of the two countries.
Borge Brende noted that Norway’s Foreign Affairs Ministry is prposing placing Ethiopia among the six focus countries for development cooperation program.
Dr Tedros expressed his gratitude to Norwegian Foreign Affairs Ministry’s decision to make Ethiopia as one of the six priority countries in the country’s development cooperation program. This, he said, would help Ethiopia’s efforts to realize a carbon-free middle- income country status by 2025.
Both sides reached a consensus in jointly pushing cooperation forward in many areas including climate change, education, private sector engagement, trade and investment. (MoFA)
