Premier holds talks with Sudanese public diplomacy delegation

Addis Ababa, May 14, 2016 (FBC) – Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has held talks with Sudanese public diplomacy delegation at his office today.
Sudanese public diplomacy delegation arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last Sunday for a week-long official visit.

In its week-long stay, the delegation visited Addis-Adama expressway, housing and Addis Ababa light rail projects, among others.

It also held discussions with senior government officials, including with President Mulatu Teshome, Abadula Gemeda, Speaker of the House of Peoples Representatives (HPR) and Diriba Kuma, mayor of Addis Ababa.

The delegation met with Abune Mathias, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church as well as visited historical and cultural sites in Mekelle, Tigray regional state.

And on the final day of their visit, members of the delegation met this afternoon with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn at his office, where they discussed on diverse bilateral issues.

Hailemariam on the occasion said “our historic relations are founded on the principle of our people-to-people relationship.”

“I met President Omar Hassen Al-Bashir three times this month alone and this shows the strength of our relations,” he added.

Speaking on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) which Ethiopia has been building on the Nile River, the Premier said the dam will further cement the all around ties of people of the two countries.

Dr. Omar Suleiman, head of the delegation, said GERD is not just a dam; it is a symbol of renaissance for Sudan and the region as well.

He further said Sudan and Ethiopia are two countries with one people.

According to Dr. Suleiman, the visit is intended to further strengthen the people-to-people relations between the two countries.