Ethiopia, Israel Keen to Further Scale Up Ties
ADDIS ABABA – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen on Thursday held discussion with the visiting head of African Affairs Division of Israel Foreign Ministry, Bar-Li Sharon, at his office.
During the discussion, Demeke noted the long-standing diplomatic relationship of Ethiopia and Israel which is marked by strong historical and religious ties.
The FM said Ethiopia is keen to scale up the relationship with Israel with further engagements in technology and agriculture as well as peace and security issues.
Demeke also said he “briefed her the formation of the new government in Ethiopia & told her our expectations for Israel’s understanding of the situation in the northern part of Ethiopia which doesn’t call for sanctions”.
The pressures to impose sanctions against Ethiopia did not take into account the cooperative spirit and hand that the Ethiopian government has extended to humanitarian agencies operating in the country, he said.
Sharon said it was always good to be back in Addis Ababa and called her discussion with Deputy PM & Foreign Minister Demeke as ” important”.
She has appreciated Demeke’s briefing on the situation in Ethiopia, and expressed Israel’s interest to further scale up the already strong relationship of the two countries,as perthe statement issued by Ethiopian Foreign ministry.
She also said she would convey the issues raised by Demeke during their meeting, to authorities in her government, the ministry said.
