Addis Ababa, May.21(ENA)--The Swedish government has decided to give Ethiopia 80 million Swedish Kroner in direct budgetary assistance, a newspaper which is issued by the Ministry of Swedish International Cooperation said, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The newspaper known as Omvariden said in its May, 11, 2004 issue that the decision was made in recognition of the commitment made by the government of Ethiopia toward the implementation of poverty reduction and economic reform programs, the paper quoted Carin Jamtin, Swedish Minister of International Cooperation, as saying.

The assistance is part of the development aid Sweden is extending to Ethiopia.

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