President Sahle-Work receives U.S. Secretary of State

Addis Ababa, February 18, 2020 (FBC) –President Sahle-Work Zewde received today the visiting U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo.

Pompeo arrived in Addis Ababa last night for a three-day official working visit.

State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Redwan Hussien, who attended the meeting told journalists that the President and Pompeo discussed bilateral relations between the two countries.

During the discussion, Pompeo assured the President of the United States’ continued support for the ongoing reforms in Ethiopia.

He further said that the United States will encourage and provide support for its investors to invest and do business in Ethiopia.

The Secretary of State also commended Ethiopia’s efforts to maintain peace in the Horn of Africa region and pledged that the U.S. would continue to assist these efforts.

Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedu Andargachew also met with Pompeo at his office to discuss bilateral and global issues of mutual interest.

The two discussed ways to elevate the all-inclusive relations between Ethiopia and the United States.

Foreign Affairs Gedu said Pompeo’s visit would further strengthen the historical and longstanding ties of the two countries.

He also thanked President Donald Trump and his government for their efforts in mediating the talk between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

The Ethiopian Foreign Minister also provided a briefing to Pompeo on measures undertaken by the government to encourage the economy in general and the private sector in particular.

He also told the US Secretary of State about works being done by Ethiopia in partnership with regional governments to defeat al-shabaab in Somalia and bring sustainable peace in South Sudan.

Pompeo for his part appreciated key role being played by Ethiopia in the region and pledged to assist the country’s reform agendas.

Pompeo expressed his hope that the three countries will reach agreement on GERD after resolving their differences.