Addis Ababa, Feb. 18(ENA)--The Harare-based Ethiopian ambassador to Zimbabwe, Dena Mufti, has presented his credentials as Ethiopian special envoy and plenipotentiary to Zambia to that country's president, Levy Mwanawasa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

While presenting his credentials ambassador Dena told Mwanawasa that Ethiopia is desirous to reinforce its bilateral ties with Zambia, the Ministry quoted the Ethiopian embassy in Harare as saying.

The ambassador also assured the president of his readiness to do his level best to consolidate the Ethio-Zambian relations.

Mwanawasa has commended on his part the efforts being exerted by the governments of Zambia and Ethiopia to promote a multi-party political system in their respective countries.

He also praised Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's utmost efforts to implement the democratic principles in Ethiopia.

The president also underlined the need to further strengthen the existing bilateral relations between the two countries particularly in the area of trade, the Ministry said.

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