Addis Ababa,Aug.19 (ENA)--Prime minister Meles Zenawi urged the United States on Monday to provide relief assistance to Ethiopia as the efforts exerted to enable the country self-supportive in food grains have been severely affected by the ensuing bad weather.

During talks with a U.S delegation led by sentaors Shelby and Specter, the prime minister said the constructive measures taken during the previous years to implement the extension program have enabled to increase productivity.

He, however, said the bad weather that occurred in various parts of the country has exacerbated the food shortage in the draught vulnerable areas.

The prime minister has also requested the U.S to facilitate ways for Ethiopia and other African countries to export other commodities in addition to the items stated in the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), according to a senior official with the ministry of foreign affairs who attended the discussion.

The enactment of the AGOA enhancement will add momentum to the growth of the US- Africa trade relationship which has paramount importance in supporting the development endeavors of the poor countries, the prime minister said.

Ethiopia has been taking constructive measures believed to be instrumental in containing the spread of the HIV/ AIDS, he said, adding that the support of the US government is crucial to achieve tangible results in the fight against the killer disease.

The two sides have also exchanged vies on the global coalition against international terrorism, the situations in the Sudan, Somalia, the Horn of Africa and other international issues, the official said.

The two senators told journalists after the discussion that the cooperation that exists between Ethiopia and the US in the economy, health and other sectors was in good shape.

They said their discussions with Prime Minister Meles that focused on bilateral and internal issues were productive.

The delegation’s visit to Ethiopia was part of the move to fight international terrorism in Africa, according to the senators.

The delegation has also paid a similar visit to South Africa, Mauritius, Tanzania, Kenya and the Sudan.

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