Ireland to expand its development assistance to Ethiopia
May 5, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — Chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Irish parliament said Ireland would expand its development assistance to Ethiopia. Ethiopia is registering socio-economic development, he also observed.
After conferring with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Thursday 4 May, head of the Irish delegation and chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Irish parliament, Michael Woods, told journalists that his country has been supporting development programmes in Ethiopia.
The bilateral cooperation between Ethiopia and Ireland are in good shape, the chairman said, and added that that he has witnessed the development programs in Ethiopia, particularly the safety-net and water conservation programs are being well executed. Ireland would strengthen its support to the development programmes, which he said would help reduce poverty.
Woods said involving the public, particularly the women is crucial in the efforts launched to speed up development.
The Chairman also indicated that there is a wide opportunity to exploit tourist resources Ethiopia is endowed with.
Ethiopia is currently registering socio-economic growth, Dr Woods said and expressed appreciation for the efforts being carried out to amend the parliamentary procedure and code of conduct with a view to enhancing the democratic nature of the parliament.
Woods also indicated that Irish investors are showing desire to work in Ethiopia.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on his part appreciated Ireland’s development assistance and expressed beliefs that the development assistance would further be expanded in the future.
Ensuring democratic system, expanding education and involving women in the development activities are among the focal areas of development activities being carried out by the Ethiopian government, he said.
Meles also indicated that Ethiopia is keen to draw lessons from Ireland in economic development and other sectors in its efforts geared towards accelerating development, an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who attended the discussion said.
(ST)