According to a joint press conference issued after the meeting, the two ministers discussed bilateral relations as well as ways to strengthen their cooperation in many sectors, including in infrastructure trade and economic spheres.

Dr Workneh said the Ethio-Russia relations, which date back 120 years, have good prospect and potential for further growth.

He said “we are working and want to boost our relationship in the mining and energy sector. We want more companies to work in Ethiopia in the mining and energy sectors. We encourage Russian companies to work in Ethiopia in different sectors.”

In the press conference, it was noted that the Russian company, Inter RAO-Export is interested in the construction and modernization of hydroelectric stations in Ethiopia.  Russian oil and gas company GPB Global Resources is already exploring hydrocarbons in the eastern part of Ethiopia.

According to Dr Workneh, the MoU singed on scientific and technical cooperation and in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy last week as well as the decisions taken in last March in Addis Ababa at the sixth meeting of the Ethio- Russian Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation and Trade would help to further strengthen the ties between the two countries.

Dr Workneh further said that Ethiopia wants to strengthen its military-technical cooperation with Russia, which according to him is very important.

The Foreign Minister also briefed his Russian counterpart on Ethiopia’s ongoing contributions in maintaining peace in the Horn of Africa, in Somalia and South Sudan in particular, as well as its efforts in the fight against terrorism.

In discussing international affairs, Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov welcomed the balanced line of Ethiopia on the world stage, its traditionally vigorous role as a member of the African Union and its active participant in sub-regional organizations, including in peacekeeping operations in the African continent.

Lavrov said Ethiopia’s high prestige in the international arena was reflected in her election for 2017-2018 as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, as well as in the election of Dr Tedros Adhanom as Director of the World Health Organization.

In their joint press conference, the two sides discussed the possibilities of increasing the number of Ethiopian students studying in the Russia, the importance of further efforts to combine all the capabilities of the world community in countering terrorism, drug trafficking, piracy and other modern challenges.

They also agreed to colorfully celebrate next year the 120th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Russia.

source fana