Minister for Defence and Defence Production, Khawaja Muhammad Asif held meeting with the Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) on Wednesday during which both dignitaries mulled over various avenues to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in different areas such as defence and aviation. The matter of such utmost importance came under discussion during a meeting between Special Envoy, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of FDR Ethiopia, Jemal Beker Abdula, and Minister for Defence and Aviation who also holds the portfolio of Defence Production, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, an Ethiopian Embassy news release said. The two sides also discussed full spectrum of ongoing bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation between the two brotherly countries.

The Defence Minister expressing his condolences for the loss of lives in landslide incidents that took place in Gofa region of Ethiopia reiterated the Government’s commitment and support to the people and Government of Ethiopia in difficult times. He expressed his government’s commitment to increase its presence in the African continent of more than 1.4 billion people with untapped resources. Khawaja Asif recognized pivotal role of the FDR Ethiopia in effective implementation of Look Africa and Engage Africa policy of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan that attached utmost priority to Ethiopia which is a gateway to Africa. He appreciated arrival of the Ethiopian Airlines in Karachi which has given a major boost to the bilateral relations of the two countries especially people-to-people and business-to-business ties between Ethiopia and Pakistan as well connect the rest of Africa.

The Defence Minister also lauded economic progress achieved by Ethiopia under the leadership of Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, who successfully implemented home-grown economic reforms for peace and prosperity in the country. Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Jemal Beker expressed his gratitude for a continued support of the Government of Pakistan to the Government of Ethiopia at bilateral and multilateral level. He briefed the minister on ongoing economic reforms carried out by the Government of Ethiopia to achieve macroeconomic stability, attract Foreign Direct Investment, increase productivity and job creation. The Ambassador also apprised the minister about relief and rescue efforts carried out in Gofa region of Ethiopia for permanent relocation of the affected persons.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan