Seyoum says Ethio-China relations gathering momentum

Addis Ababa, July 1(ENA)-- Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin said the bilateral relations and cooperation between Ethiopia and China have been gathering momentum.

Foreign Minister Seyoum made the remark here on Monday during talks with the visiting high-level delegation led by Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, Xu Jialu.

Seyoum said the ties between Ethiopia and China were being cemented on the bases of mutual interest and friendliness.

Ethiopia attaches paramount importance to its long-standing relations and cooperation with China, Seyoum said.

According to Seyoum, the official visit of the Chinese delegation would signify the further stepping up of cooperation between the two countries.

Seyoum and Xu Jialu have agreed on the need for consistent consultations between the two countries to facilitate ways for the success of the 2nd China-Africa Economic Cooperation Forum scheduled to be held in Ethiopia in 2003, according to a spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Xu Jialu on his part expressed his government's readiness to bolster trade and investment cooperation with and increase development assistance to developing nations.

Earlier, the Chinese delegation had held talks with President Girma Woldegiorgis and senior government officials on the relations and multi sectoral cooperation between the two countries.

The Chinese delegation had arrived here last Friday for a five-day official visit to Ethiopia.

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