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South Korean president vows to cement cooperative partnership with Ethiopia

Xinhua, May 27, 2016 Adjust font size:

South Korean President Park Geun-hye has kicked off state visit in Ethiopia as the first leg of her four-nation trip to Africa and France.

Park on Thursday vowed to further cement a cooperative partnership with Ethiopia, emphasizing that South Korea will remain a "reliable partner" for the African state's growth and development.

In her contribution to the state-run Ethiopian Herald daily newspaper, Park also touted Ethiopia's potential to grow as Africa's economic powerhouse in the "not-too-distant" future, highlighting Seoul's commitment to forging "mutually beneficial" relations.

The contribution was published Wednesday, when Park arrived in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, the first leg of her four-nation trip to Africa and France.

"My tour of Africa will provide a valuable opportunity for the Republic of Korea to share the vision of 'an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa' and, in particular, expand and further develop cooperative partnerships with Ethiopia and other African countries," she said.

Beyond the expansion of economic cooperation, Park pledged to bolster South Korea's support in the areas of health care and nutrition through its "Korea Aid" project, share its know-how on socio-economic development with Ethiopia, and increase cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

The president will on Friday pay a courtesy visit to the Leadership of the African Union (AU), and it will be the first visit by President of South Korea to the headquarters of the pan-African bloc, according to the AU.

At the AU, Park is expected to meet with Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission, for bilateral talks on issues concerning Africa and South Korea's cooperation and development.

After the bilateral talks with the Chairperson, the South Korean president will deliver a public statement at the AU plenary hall (Madela Hall) in the presence of the diplomatic corps, the African and international communities based in Addis Ababa, officials and staff of the AU Commission and invited guests. Endit