ADDIS ABABA (SomaliUpdate Online) — Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has arrived in Ethiopia capital, Addis Ababa on Wednesday afternoon following the invitation of Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn, President Farmajo's communication office said.
The President’s visit, the first to the neighboring country since his election in February, is seen a refreshing one for the Ethiopia-Somalia relations. He has earlier visited five other countries including Turkey, Jordan, Kenya, UAE, and Saudi Arabia but not Ethiopia, defying longtime held culture for elected Somalia leaders.
Ethiopian forces are part of the African Union Mission (AMISOM) in Somalia fighting the militant group Al-Shabab.
Farmajo's visit to Ethiopia came following a comment by high ranking Ethiopian general in Somalia who deplored President Farmajo's actions of "disrespecting Ethiopian troops" in Baidoa, Somalia when the President visited the town on April 25.
According to a statement released by Villa Somalia, President Farmajo was received by his Ethiopian host, high-ranking government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and members of the Somalia community.
"The visit was aimed at further strengthening the already existing fraternal ties during the assumption of office by a new leadership in Somalia,” the statement added.
"During the visit, the two leaders, accompanied by their respective delegations, held extensive and fruitful discussions on bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest.” Somali president’s statement added.
The two leaders then held joint press conference at the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s Office where they recalled their meetings in Mogadishu during the inauguration of the newly elected President and in Nairobi for the Refugees Summit. The discussions were held in a frank and cordial manner that characterizes the historic friendship existing between the two countries.
Desirous of invigorating the commendable bond of fraternity between the two countries, the two leaders exchanged views on ways and means to further consolidate their cooperation in various fields. Furthermore, the two leaders agreed to forge closer ties based on the principles of good neighborliness, mutual respect and the promotion of mutual interest.
The two leaders committed to fully implement previously signed agreements to revitalize the already existing mechanisms of cooperation. Accordingly, they expressed their readiness to create a high-level joint cooperation committee to further the collaboration between the two countries. They reaffirmed that both countries need to have strong economic cooperation. Accordingly, they expressed the need to encourage free movement of goods and services between their respective countries for mutual benefit.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn congratulated the Somali leader on the recent remarkable achievements in Somalia including the successful conduct of Parliamentary and Presidential elections and the peaceful transfer of power.
Mr. Dessalegn also expressed appreciation for the commitment made by the Federal Government of Somalia and federal member states leaders to tackle the security problems, including through urgent reform of the Somali security sector and a renewed Somalia campaign to defeat al-Shabaab.
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