Ethiopia, Nigeria to Hold Joint Commission Meeting on Trade, Economy, Political Development

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May 30/2022/ENA/   Ethiopia and Nigeria have concluded arrangements to hold a Joint Ministerial Commission meeting in Addis Ababa on June to discuss various areas of bilateral relationship and exchange perspectives on a range of international issues of mutual interest, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari hosted Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed  to a State Visit and a presidential lunch attended by the First Lady of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari and Ethiopian First Lady Zinash Tayachew, in State House, Abuja on Wednesday.

A major outcome of the visit is the desire of both countries to take concrete steps to expand bilateral relations in key areas such as the economy, trade, science and technology, solid minerals, among others.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Victor Adeleke spoke to the media, explaining the essence of the visit and the burgeoning state of relations between both countries.

Ambassador Adeleke said that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has always taken Nigeria as one of the pillars in Africa and a strong country in stabilizing democracy in Africa.

‘‘In the spirit of African brotherhood and seeking African solutions to African problems, President Buhari and the Prime Minister consult from time to time and this visit is an icing on the cake,” the ambassador added.

Ambassador Adeleke stated that ‘‘President Buhari has been in Addis Ababa a couple of times so the Prime Minister thought it is wise to visit Nigeria and confer with President Buhari enroute to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, for the humanitarian conference and the African Union Extraordinary Summit on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government.”

Noting that the state of relations between Ethiopia and Nigeria is very warm, the ambassador pointed out that the two countries are working together and they will soon be convening the Joint Ministerial Commission to discuss various areas of relationship that will be beneficial to both countries.

‘‘Nigerian officials are heading to Addis Ababa in June to discuss various areas of relationship including political, economic, science and technology, mines and industry,” the ambassador pointed out.

‘‘We have been engaging and we will continue to engage,” he said adding that ‘‘in the private sector, Dangote has a big cement factory in Ethiopia and Ethiopia has an expanding economy in Africa. So this is a very important and useful visit that will help officials from both countries to continue to network.’’

Ethiopian News Agency
2023