. Irish Premier lauds ongoing reform, pledges continued support
ADDIS ABABA- The official visit paid to Ethiopia by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland Leo Varadkar further solidifies the diplomatic relations between Ireland and Ethiopia that spans over 20 years, a statement the Office of the Prime Minister released yesterday indicated.
Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed received his counterpart Leo Varadkar, who is here for three-day state visit, at his office yesterday. In a bi-lateral discussion, Prime Minister Abiy noted that the visit by his Irish counterpart isa testimony to the strengthened ties between Europe and Ethiopia as well; the statement quoted him as saying.
For his part, Prime Minister Varadkar expressed his appreciation of the recent developments in Ethiopia and reaffirmed Ireland’s continued support to Ethiopia, particularly in agro-processing investment areas, the statement added.
A statement released by government of Ireland indicates that “in partnership with Ethiopian government agencies and UN institutions, Ireland has been operating a development program since 1994.
The program is Ireland’s largest anywhere in the world, amounting to Euro 30 million in 2018 and a planned Euro 32 million in 2019.” Ethio-Ireland over two-decade ties covered many areas including humanitarian, development and the strengthening of civic societies, it was learnt.
The Ethiopian Herald, January 10/2019
BY WORKU BELACHEW
