UAE, Ethiopia explore ways to strengthen bilateral relations
Mohammad Bin Zayed signs several agreements in meeting with prime minister
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, held talks with Dr Abiy Ahmad Ali, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, following his arrival in Addis Ababa on an official visit yesterday.
The leaders discussed political, economic, investment and development relations and the potential to strengthen them.
Later, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed and Dr Ahmad attended the signing of a number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) including for the mutual exemption of entry visas for holders of diplomatic passports, setting up a joint committee for coordination in consular affairs and other urgent requirements pertaining to the movement of people.
MoUs were also signed for economic, technical, tourism and cultural cooperation. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development also signed MoUs with the National Bank of Ethiopia and the Government of Ethiopia.
Earlier, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed was welcomed by Dr Ahmad on his arrival in Addis Ababa. He was accorded an official reception during which the national anthems of the UAE and Ethiopia were played. He was given a 21-gun salute and later inspected a guard of honour.
The UAE delegation includes Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, other ministers and senior officials.