Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Park Jin, who is in Addis Ababa for a three-day official visit to Ethiopia, echoed the fact that Ethiopia is a gateway to Africa.
The Foreign Affairs Minister of South Korea arrived in Addis Ababa this morning.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, has discussed with FM Park Jin on ways of further strengthening cooperation between the countries in bilateral and multilateral venues.
After the bilateral talks, Demeke said “we have concluded a fruitful bilateral discussion on several issues of mutual interest.”
Ethiopia and the Republic of South Korea celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations.
“Our friendship is forged by blood. We agreed to consolidate further and advance the longstanding ties between our two countries. The Republic of South Korea remains to be Ethiopia’s strategic partner. In particular we renewed our commitment to work closely in taking trade, investment and development cooperation to higher level,” Demeke pointed out.
The two sides have also reaffirmed to expedite further their partnership on multilateral platforms and issues of mutual interest and pledged to deepen and expand the historical relations for the benefit of their respective people.
Demeke thanked the government of Republic of Korea for choosing Ethiopia as one of its priority development partner countries in Africa.
Under its five year country strategy, the republic of South Korea has provided financial supports for several development programs in Ethiopia, he indicated.
Ethiopia’s FM has also congratulated the Republic of Korea for being elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and pledged to work closely on matters of mutual interest and concerns affecting the African continent, in general and the Horn of Africa, in particular.
Foreign Minister Park Jin, on his part, expressed his gratitude to the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister for the warm welcome and hospitality.
As a priority partner in Africa, FM Jin noted, his government with its Ethiopian counterpart will continue cooperating in key areas to elevate the multifaceted, strategic partnership between South Korea and Ethiopia through bilateral and multilateral frameworks on issues of mutual interest.
He peculiarly echoed the fact that Ethiopia is a gateway to Africa.
“We had in-depth discussion on enhancing cooperation in various fields including development cooperation, human exchange, trade, investment with our blood forged partner with Ethiopia.”
The people of South Korea will never forget the noble sacrifice and genuine friendship that Ethiopia had shown during the Korea war by dispatching the Ethiopia troops by defending peace and freedom of people of Korea.
“During today’s meeting our foreign ministers agreed to elevate bilateral relations to higher level of strategic partnership in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of our diplomatic ties this year. Furthermore we have decided to set the direction of the next 60 years and explore mutually beneficial cooperation through high level exchanges and more,” FM Jin said.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency