Addis Ababa, Augu.13(ENA)--Ethiopia and the Gambia should work closely for the prevalence of peace and stability in the African continent and the realization of the objectives of the African Union (AU), President Girma Woldegiorgis said.

Receiving the credentials here on Tuesday of the first Ambassador of the Gambia to Ethiopia, Dr. Omar A. Touray, President Girma said Ethiopia was desirous to strengthen bilateral cooperation with the Gambia.

The opening of the Gambian Embassy here would create an enabling environment for the two countries to promote bilateral relations as well as to exert joint efforts that would help the African Union achieve its goals, a senior official with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted Girma as saying.

The diplomatic relations between the two countries, which has now been elevated to Ambassadorial level, dated back to the independence of the Gambia, the official said.

Ambassador Touray, who is also permanent representative to the AU, said on his part that the establishment of the Gambian Embassy in Ethiopia would contribute significantly to the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries as well as to the enhancement of their cooperation in global affairs.

Ethiopia and the Gambia are members also of the African Development Bank and the African, Caribbean and Pacific/ European Union (ACP/EU) cooperation.

(ENA)