Addis Ababa, July 20(ENA)--Ethiopia and Yemen have great desire and commitment to the prevalence of peace and stability in the region, Prime Minister Meles and President Ali Abdullah Saleh said.

Speaking at a meeting held between the Yemeni high level delegation and Ethiopian government officials at national palace here on Sunday Prime minister Meles and president Saleh said the two countries would continue to work with the spirit of understanding to the prevalence of durable peace in the area.

The two sides said the bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Yemen has a meaningful contribution to the mutual benefit of their peoples and the region as a whole.

Prime Minister Meles said utmost efforts should be exerted to implement the various cooperation agreements signed between the two countries.

He said Ethiopia attaches paramount importance to the political, economic, trade and investment relations with Yemen.

Other countries in the region should also work for regional peace and stability in support of the efforts exerted by Ethiopia and Yemen, he said.

The Ethiopian and the Sudanese high level delegations visits paid to Yemen in November 2003 have laid the foundation for regional stability and the growing cooperation among the three countries, he said.

"The historical relations that exist between Ethiopia and Yemen were not based on geography but they are based on culture, history and spiritual cooperaion," Meles said.

The cooperation between the two countries should also be consoldated particularly in the political and establishment of peace to forge a common position both at the regional and international forums.

Prime Minister Meles has also thanked president Saleh on behalf of the Ethiopian people and government for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to the Ethiopian delegation during its visit to Yemeni.

The Ethiopian people and government are happy to have the high level Yemen delegation here in Addis, he said.

President Saleh on his part said Ethiopia and Yemen would continue working for regional peace and stability.

The trilateral cooperation that exist among Ethiopia, the Sudan and Yemen has great significance for the prevalence of peace in the region, he said.

Yemeni has been working as the ambassador of Ethiopia at the Arab League, the European Union and other international forums, he said.

The Yemeni president who is here for a three day official working visit has held discussions with president Girma Wolde-Giorgis on a wide range of bilateral and international issues.

President Saleh has also laid wreaths at the Arat kilo victory monument.

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