Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Visit Israel

Addis Ababa ENA August 30/2019 Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed will visit Israel this weekend to enhance relations and strengthen cooperation between the two countries, according to Israel Embassy to Ethiopia.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to receive his Ethiopian counter part upon arrival on Sunday with a guard of honor at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem.

During the course of the visit, Abiy will meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin, will visit Yad Vashem and tour the National Cyber Directorate, according to the statement.

This visit is taking place after Prime Minister Netanyahu’s visit to Africa in July 2016, during which he also visited Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is an Eastern African state, with which Israel has a close and friendly relationship and cooperation in many fields including agriculture, water and irrigation, health, education, science, technology and innovation.

During the visit, the two sides will discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in the fields of security, agriculture and technology, with special emphasis on cyber. 

Abiy's visit to Israel is further evidence of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s ‘Return to Africa’ policy, and the common desire of both countries to strengthen the bonds of friendship and deepen bilateral cooperation, it was indicated.