ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopia-U.S. Bilateral Defense Committee enables to identify new opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the areas of counterterrorism and intelligence during the committee’s 9th annual meeting, U.S. Embassy to Ethiopia disclosed.
During his visit to Washington DC Minister of Defense, Lemma Megersa has met U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Pete Marocco and co-chaired the 9th annual bilateral defense committee of the two countries.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia’s press release sent to The Ethiopian Herald, during the visit, the two countries shared views on regional security, peacekeeping, intelligence and military relations with the goal of strengthening their security partnership.
During the discussion, the bilateral defense committee enables the two nations to identify new opportunities for bilateral cooperation in areas such as counterterrorism and intelligence to enhance the robust partnership of the two countries and helps bring peace and security to East Africa.
The statement noted that “both nations reaffirmed their commitment to the U.S.-Ethiopia bilateral relationship and highlighted the significant increase in security cooperation between the two countries over the last 18 months.”
The Ethiopian delegation led by Defense Minister, Lemma Megerssa also met with performing the Duties of Deputy Under-Secretary of Defense James Anderson and the Under-Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Joseph Kernan, the statement said. Anderson thanked Ethiopia for its leadership and military contribution in the East Africa and commended Lemma for the ongoing security sector reforms in Ethiopia.
U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Michael Raynor expressed gratitude to the Ethiopian government and the Ethiopian National Defense Force for their participation, continued close partnership and commitment to future collaboration, the statement added.
The Ethiopian Herald December 7/2019
BY STAFF REPORTER
