Kuwait keen to shore up development cooperation with Ethiopia: Ambassador

 Addis Ababa, August 7 (ENA)-- The departing Kuwaiti Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mohammed Alawadhi, says his government has a keen desire to streamline and bolster the existing development cooperation with Ethiopia.

 Alawadhi said that the Kuwaiti government would also press ahead in assisting Ethiopia's poverty eradication schemes.

 The ambassador made the remarks here on Tuesday while taking leave of President Negaso Gidada.  

The Kuwaiti government development fund has extended a substantial amount of loan for the implementation of the Bole International Air port expansion project, a spokesperson of the ministry of foreign affairs quoted Alawadhi as saying.

 The ambassador also said that his government would intensify its humanitarian intervention activities in Ethiopia.

 According to the spokesperson, president Negaso expressed Ethiopia's strong desire to bolster its bilateral cooperation with Kuwait particularly in the areas of economic development, tourism and investment.

 The Ethio-Kuwaiti diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level dates back some four years ago in recent history.

 Similarly, president Negaso Gidada received and took leave of the Burundian ambassador to Ethiopia,  Melchior Bwakira. 

According to the spokesperson, president Negaso told the out-going ambassador that Ethiopia would continue playing a key role in the efforts geared to bringing about a lasting peace and stability in Burundi.

 Bwakira on his part lauded the initiatives taken to halt the Ethio-Eritrean border dispute, which he said was crucial for Ethiopia to turn into its development agenda.

 The two sides have also exchanged views on the possibilities of reinvigorating the existing bilateral cooperation between the two countries, the spokesperson said. 

The Ethio-Burundi diplomatic relation was established in 1965. 

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