Addis Ababa, May 19(ENA)--Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Djiboutian President Ismael Oumar Guelleh have cut the ribbon inaugurating the new Ethiopian Embassy complex built at a cost of about 35 million Birr by Ethiopian private contractor SATCON.

The two leaders during the Ethio-Djibouti 8th Ministerial Joint Commission meeting on Tuesday said the ties between the two countries have been strengthened.

Meles and Guelleh said the bilateral relations between the two countries in various areas of cooperation have been growing.

Meles said the cooperation between Ethiopia and Djibouti is beyond what could just be described as bilateral.

Meles said the ever bolstering relations and cooperations between the two neighboring countries was due to the political commitments of the two governments.

According to Meles, the Ethio-Djibouti bilateral cooperation in the areas of political, economic and other fields has reached a level unprecedented.

He expressed his countries commitment to further bolster its relations with Djibouti in the years ahead.

The Embassy complex which Ethiopia has newly built in Djibouti is a testimony for the amicable relations between the two countries.

Guelleh on his part said the government and people of Djibouti will enhance their brotherly relations with Government and people of Ethiopia.

Later on the day, Prime Minister Meles and President Guelleh inaugurated the Ethiopian Embassy complex.

Special Envoy and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ethiopia to Djibouti Shemsedin Ahmed on the occasion said the Embassy complex is the biggest of Ethiopian Embassies in the world.

The Embassy rests on 17,500 square meters comprising Embassy offices, Ambassador residence as well as residences of diplomats, he indicated.

SATCON, a grade-one Ethiopian contractor, built the complex, which has splendid architectural features depicting the structural heritage of Axum, Lalibella and Fasiledes.

The Ambassador said the complex shows that Ethiopians and Africans could come out competitive if they exert efforts for quality products and services.

The Embassy complex also conveys the message that Ethiopia gives most attention to its relations with neighboring countries, he said.

It also shows Ethiopia's vision for the realization of strengthened economic ties between and among countries of the Horn of Africa in the areas of trade, tourism and investment so as to bring about economic integration.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi returned here on Wednesday after attending the Ministerial Joint Commission Meeting.