Addis Ababa, Feb. 28(ENA)--Ambassador Extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Slovak to Ethiopia says his country is keen to shore up its economic and trade relations with Ethiopia.

Presenting his credentials to President Girma Wolde-georgis here on Thursday, Stefan Moravek said Slovak has plans to open a trade bureau in Addis Ababa.

The Nairobi-based ambassador said his country was desirous to boost the existing trade volume between the two countries, which he said is not more than two million USD, according to an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Slovak was also interested in stepping up its development cooperation with Ethiopia particularly in the fields of education and industry.

President Girma expressed on the occasion his firm conviction that the Ethio-Slovak bilateral ties would gain momentum in the years ahead.

Slovak, which is an associate member of the European Union at present, is expected to win full membership of the Union up to 2005.

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