Pakistan, Ethiopia agree to establish mechanism for boosting bilateral ties.

ISLAMABAD: The governments of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and Islamic Republic of Pakistan have agreed to establish a comprehensive mechanism to further strengthen the rapidly growing bilateral ties by enhancing bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation in diverse fields.

The consensus to this effect was developed during a meeting between H.E Ambassador Mesganu Arega, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia and H.E. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Foreign Minister of Pakistan.

Both the dignitaries held productive discussion on range of issues to bolster bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation between the two brotherly countries. They also discussed matters of mutual interests including political, economic and social cooperation.

The meeting was also attended by the senior ministers of the government of Ethiopia, H.E. Jemal Beker Abdula, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the FDRE to Islamic Republic of Pakistan and others.

H.E Ambassador Mesganu Arega, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia said the visit of high-powered official and business delegations to Pakistan demonstrated Ethiopia's commitment to advance multi-faceted relations with Pakistan. He said resumption of Ethiopian Airlines flight operations between Pakistan and Ethiopia would boost implementation on the "Look for Africa Initiative" of the government of Pakistan. On the other hand, the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, H.E. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Pakistan was satisfied with its growing relations with Ethiopia.

He recalled opening of the Embassy of Pakistan in Ethiopia in the government's tenure of his grandfather Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto which marked beginning of a long and fruitful partnership between the two countries. Later, both the foreign minister of Pakistan and State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia held a joint press briefing in Karachi.

H.E. Bilawal Bhutto said, "we are witnessing a momentous period in history of Ethiopia Pakistan relations as Ethiopian Airlines resumed its direct flights between Addis Ababa and Karachi and the Ethiopian government established its embassy in Islamabad." The resumption of flight was a "significant milestone" in our bilateral relations, he added.

"It is a bridge that will bring our people and rich cultures closer together and it will open a new avenue for...