Ethiopia, Israel discuss ways of strengthening ties

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and the visiting Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Thursday met at the National palace here in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, and held discussion on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.

The two sides have signed series of agreements in a bid to further the bilateral ties and the level of cooperation between Ethiopia and the State of Israel, according to the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Netanyahu said, "My visit to Ethiopia is aimed at further elevating the over 3,000-year old bilateral relations of Ethiopia and Israel to a higher level."

The agreement signed between the two sides offers tremendous opportunity for cooperation in the areas of science, technology and tourism, said a news item in the Ministry's website.

One such agreement maintains that Israel is set to share its rich experiences in areas of space science, bioscience and nanotechnology to Ethiopia.

Hailemariam stressed that his country is keen to draw lessons from Israel's rich experience, which in particular he said included areas like agriculture, irrigation and water use.

In another news item, the Ministry said a key Ethio-Israeli Business Forum was held same day in Addis Ababa as part of the Israeli prime minister's landmark visit to Ethiopia.

In his key note address, Hailemariam stressed that the business summit would give more momentum to strengthen the two countries' fraternal and long-lasting relations into important areas of cooperation in investment, trade and technology transfer.

Hailemariam said the two countries have forged several economic and technical cooperation agreements.

Both sides give due importance for the ongoing technology and skill transfer that is extended through the Israel Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV), he said.

According to the prime minister, the investment flow over the past 25 years has reached to about 330 million U.S. dollars.

"We have to boost this finance flow by expanding our level of cooperation by increasing the growing flow of FDI in areas of horticulture, integrated annual farming, crop production and manufacturing to a higher level," noted Hailemariam.

He also mentioned renewable energy, ICT development and mining as other areas could interest both sides to collaborate and work together.

Netanyahu, on his part mentioning Israel's unwavering position in advancing technological researches, noted that "the future belongs to those who can innovate. Nothing evades technology."

He stated that Ethiopia is open to Israel's business.

Netanyahu took the initiative to bring more than 40 business leaders from Israel to Ethiopia.

More than 90 Ethiopian companies took part in the summit, according to the Ministry. Endit