Zenawi praises German assistance to Ethiopia

Dec 06, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopian Prime Minister praised German assistance to boost economic development in the country. In a meeting with a German minister, he urged EU to support the Somali government.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said the assistance being provided by Germany has a significant contribution to speed up development in Ethiopia.
Zenawi made the remark today while holding talks with German MP, Maurina Schulze.

Maurina Schulze on her part said the government of Germany would strengthen its assistance to Ethiopia in technical, vocational and engineering sectors, among others. She also said about 350 German experts would come to Ethiopia
The prime minister called on the occasion on the international community including the EU to provide support to the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia.

Meles said, the extremist Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) has repeatedly declared war on Ethiopia. He said it has been undertaking terrorist activities in collaboration with Al-Qaeda and other terrorists drawn from various countries. Prime Minister Meles said the act of the extremist group is similar to that of Taleban in Afghanistan.

He said, though Ethiopia has held discussions in Kenya, Djibouti and Sudan with the extremist group, the group has remained rigid.

(ST)