MPs vow to urge British gov't to extend sustainable dev't assistance to Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, December 10(ENA)-- Members of the British parliament said they would do their level best to make sure that Britain's support to Ethiopia focus mainly on sustainable development assistance.

During talks with President Girma Wolde-Giorgis here on Tuesday the British MP delegation led by Laurence Robertson said they would exert utmost efforts to see to it that British support to Ethiopia is not only confined to humanitarian assistance.

The MPs told Girma that they would fly to West Hararghe Zone, Oromia State, on Wednesday to get a first hand information about the adverse effects of the drought in the country, Foreign, Security and Defence Affairs Standing Committee deputy chairman with the House of Peoples' Representatives, Namsi Alka said.

President Girma said on his part that various environmental protection activities were being carried out to alleviate the prevailing drought in the country.

Asked about the water utilization of the country, Girma said Ethiopia has reached an agreement with Egypt and other reparian countries to use the Blue Nile River.

Due attention has been given to use the country's water resources for irrigation purposes, Namsi quoted President Girma as saying.

Responding to the MPs question as to why many Ethiopians fled their country, Girma said scores of Ethiopians left their country during the previous military regime fleeing persecution and torture.

However, Girma said, with the advent of peace and democracy a number of Ethiopians are returning to their mother land.

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