Addis Ababa, Feb 06(ENA)--Prime Minister and Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of Germany said the bilateral economic cooperation between Ethiopia and Germany would further be consolidated.

During talks held in Berlin yesterday, the leaders of the two countries said the development cooperation existing between the two countries is now at satisfactory stage but has to be further strengthened.

Meles expressed his firm belief that Germany, Ethiopia’s leading economic partner among the member countries of European Union, would continue its poverty alleviation assistance to the country.

Schroeder on his part told the Prime Minister that German businessmen have strong desire to invest in Ethiopia.

It is for the first time in 34 years for Ethiopian high-level delegation to visit Germany at prime minister level.

Meles’s visit to Germany would further consolidate the bilateral cooperation and relations existing between the two countries, a spokesperson for the Ethiopian delegation said.

According the spokesperson, international terrorism was also high on the agenda during the talks between Meles and Schroeder.

The prime minister assured Schroeder that Ethiopia would support the activities and efforts underway to fight terrorism, as the country itself is a victim of terrorist attack.

Establishing a government that represents all sides in Somalia is one solution to avoid terrorism.

The Ethiopian Delegation was accorded a warm wel-come up on its arrival at the office of the chancellor by Schroeder.

Prime Minister Meles and his entourage were also wel-comed on their arrival at Tegel Airport in Berlin by Helga Grafin Strachitzat, African Affairs Director General with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany.

Meanwhile, the delegation had exchanged views with the German Economic Cooperation and Development, Mrs. Wiechzoreck Zeul Minister on bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

(END)