Addis Ababa, January 30, 2007 - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held separate talks here yesterday with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and European Union (EU) Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Development Louis Michel.
The Commissioner said during the talks that EU had decided to provide a 150 million euro assistance to Ethiopia with unanimous vote.
During the talks with Meles, Prodi said on his part that his country is desirous of further strengthening its cooperation with Ethiopia.
He said his government would exert every effort aimed at encouraging Italian entrepreneurs to invest in Ethiopia.
Prodi said Italy would also continue to be Ethiopia’s political and economic partner.
Referring to issues in Somalia, he said the Italian government would support Ethiopia’s proposal aimed at bringing about peace and stability in Somalia as it is giving prime attention to ensuring of peace and security in the Horn of Africa.
Meles said on his part stressed the need for holding a broad-based discussion in which all parties would participate in.
He told the Italian Prime Minister that one-third of the Ethiopian troops have already withdrawn from Somalia. Meles called upon the international community to extend the necessary support to Transitional Federal Government of Somalia.
They reached agreement to bring about lasting peace in Somalia.
During the talks with Meles, Commissioner Michel said that EU had decided to give 150 million euros to Ethiopia.
He said the cooperation between the two sides would further be strengthened in the years ahead.
Meles briefed Michel on the over-all activities in Ethiopia.
He also said EU has been providing assistance to the development activities in Ethiopia.
(ENA)
Source: Walta
