Meles, Mugabe meet in Harare

Addis Ababa, July 6(ENA)-- Ethiopia and Zimbabwe are keen to elevate their longstanding bilateral relations to a higher level, leaders of the two countries said.

Prime Minister Meles and President Robert Mugabe told journalists after their discussion at the Harare State House here on Saturday that the two countries were ready to revitalize their bilateral ties, particularly in the areas of trade and investment.

The two sides dwelt at length on bilateral, regional and continental issues.

Meles and Mugabe agreed that the nations should enhance their regional cooperation in the context of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

Meles on the occasion expressed gratitude to President Mugabe for the significant role he played in the efforts exerted to settle the Ethio-Eritrean conflict under the auspices of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

Upon arrival at Harare International Airport on Saturday, Meles was welcomed by President Mugabe and other senior Zimbabwean government officials as well as members of the Ethiopian community and diplomatic corps in Harare.

Meles's two-day official visit to Zimbabwe is the first leg of his working tour to three countries of the Southern Africa sub continent.

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