Ahmed Mukhtar Naqshbandi
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Ethiopia on Monday agreed to consolidate further the bilateral cooperation on preserving the rules-based world order for global peace and security.
The resolve for expanding the cooperation was expressed during a meeting between Jemal Beker Abdula, Ethiopian ambassador to Pakistan, and Javed Ahmed Umrani, Additional Secretary (Africa), Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Both discussed ways to boost bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Ethiopia. The entire gamut of bilateral ties between the two Muslim countries was also discussed during the meeting.
Ambassador Jemal Beker informed the additional secretary on the ongoing peace process in his country and the Ethiopian government’s commitment towards the implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement inked in Pretoria in November 2022 and the successes achieved so far.
Ethiopian Situation & Scope
He also briefed Umrani on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which was crucial to the socio-economic development of the entire African continent and regional integration.
He informed the additional secretary of the preparations for a Pakistani business delegation flying to Ethiopia for a six-day visit on 5 March 2023 to explore Ethiopia.
Javed Ahmed Umrani appreciated the Ethiopian government for pursuing the principle of reasonable and equitable utilization of across-the-boundary water vis-a-vis the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
He expressed his confidence that a win-win solution would soon be reached among the stakeholders.
Pakistani businessmen delegation’s visit to boost cooperation
He also hailed the Ethiopian embassy in Islamabad for arranging a trade delegation to Ethiopia, which would advance the bilateral ties and boost cooperation.
The ambassador urged the Pakistani businessmen to join in the delegation scheduled to fly to Ethiopia in March.
