Addis Ababa, November 5, 2023 (FBC) – The Czech Republic is desirous of expanding its longstanding relations and cooperation with Ethiopia, through economic cooperation, in particular, said Prime Minister Petr Fiala while holding a discussion with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on bilateral relations.
Recall that Prime Minister Petr Fiala and his delegation arrived in Addis Ababa on Friday night (3 November) for a two-day working visit. Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) and other high-level government officials received Prime Minister Petr Fiala and his delegation.
On Saturday morning, both Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Prime Minister Petr Fiala held a discussion at the Office of the Prime Minister to review bilateral issues and future cooperation between between the two countries.
Following his meeting with PM Abiy, the Czech Prime Minister recalled that the Ethiopia-Czech relations have almost a century of tradition and there is certainly much to build on.
The Czech Republic is involved in many development aid projects here and we are interested in deepening it further, Petr Fiala said in a post published on his social media page.
“At the same time, we want to expand economic cooperation, especially in the defence industry. The modernisation of L-39 fighter aircraft, which is being carried out by the company Omnipol here, is a good example of what this cooperation can look like,” he added.
He also thanked Prime Minister Abiy for his the welcome reception accorded to him and his delegation. PM Petr Fiala believes that the latest meeting between him and PM Abiy will contribute to even better relations between the two countries.
During his stay in Ethiopia the Czech Prime Minister also visited the Water Museum in Addis Ababa where he was also welcomed by the Minister of Water and Power, Habtamu Itefa, and the Minister of State for Water, Abraha Adugna.
PM Fiala noted that the Ethiopia-Czech cooperation in the field of hydrology has a long tradition and began in the 1970s. “Czech hydrologists have a great reputation here and have created a unique hydrological map of the whole country,” asserted the Czech Prime Minister.
Besides, he also opened the Ethiopia-Czech Business Forum in Addis Ababa.
After opening the business forum, Fiala said Ethiopia is one of the most important trading partners for the Czech Republic in Sub-Saharan Africa and Czech geologists and hydrologists have been working here for a long time.
“This beautiful country offers many opportunities for expanding our cooperation – for example, in the defence industry, energy or mining,” he reckoned.
After concluding his stay in Ethiopia, Prime Minister Peter Fiala is also heading to Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire for working visit.