Ethiopians residing in Rome, environs, briefed

Addis Ababa, July 3(ENA)-- Ethiopians residing in the Italian capital of Rome and its environs have been briefed about the regulation on the issuance of ID to foreign nationals of Ethiopian origin as well as about the current situation in Ethiopia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The briefing was conducted by Ambassador Mengistu Huluka last Sunday, the Ministry's Press, Information and Documentation Directorate told ENA on Wednesday.

The Ambassador told the gathering that the reform measures carried out last year in Ethiopia have opened up a new chapter in the country, the Directorate quoted the Ethiopian Embassy in Rome as saying.

Ambassador Mengistu said that serious efforts of development have been launched in the context of a clear-cut political policy and economic strategy.

As part of the democratization process, he said, a foundation has been laid to empower the grassroots with the new Woreda-based executive structuring.

The Ambassador called up on Ethiopians residing abroad and foreign nationals of Ethiopian origin to make use of the government's initiative and contribute their shares in the socio-economic development endeavors in Ethiopia.

He said conducive investment atmosphere has been created in Ethiopia, adding there are lucrative prospects for Ethiopians to establish joint venture projects with Italian counterparts.

The Ambassador, meanwhile, disclosed that Eritreans were distributing fake maps in their bid to create confusion concerning the Ethio-Eritrea boundary, and called upon Ethiopians to remain vigilant and well informed to be able to check and reveal such mendacious acts, the Directorate said.

The Ethiopians have formed an interim organizing committee in a bid to stay united to resist difficulties, it added.

(END)