Press Releases

26. 7. 2007 10:48

A Czech Government Delegation in Ethiopia

During its visit to Ethiopia, a Czech Government delegation, led by Vice Premier Jiří Čunek, met the leading officials of the Federative Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, President Girma Woldegiorgis, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Deputy Prime Minister Addisu Legesse, and Chairman of the country’s Parliament Teshome Toga Chanaka. Czech Vice Premier Jiří Čunek appreciated what he called Ethiopia’s act of statesmanship in remitting punishment of members of the opposition originally sentenced to life imprisonment. He was quoted as saying that this act of clemency will certainly have its positive effects for Ethiopia. In addition to political talks, the Czech delegation attended a business seminar, aimed at improving Czech-Ethiopian economic relations and trade exchange, areas that are known to have untapped reserves. The Czech Vice Premier also said he hoped the visit would contribute to promoting trade exchange between the Czech Republic and Ethiopia. He also mentioned power generation, spa industry and infrastructure - notably the reconstruction of Ethiopia’s airports - among perspective branches for mutual co-operation. The textile and footwear industries and contacts in the defence sector also figure prominently among the areas of Czech-Ethiopian trade relations. During its visit, the Czech Government delegation praised Ethiopia as a country with a thousand-year long history and one of the longest diplomatic relations with today’s Czech Republic among African states. The Czech Vice Premier appreciated the stabilizing role played by Ethiopia in the region, and its participation in peace-keeping missions. He went on to say that Ethiopia’s overall significance transcended the African continent. During the visit both countries also signed an agreement on the prevention of double taxation that is expected to help in fostering trade relations. The Czech Vice Premier’s talks with the Ethiopian Prime Minister were focused on the possibility of reopening Ethiopian Embassy in Prague. For its part, the Ethiopian side commended the Czech Republic’s involvement in granting development assistance to Ethiopia and also in actions by humanitarian organizations, notably the agency People in Need. The Czech Vice Premier also met the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Abune Paulos for talks on issues of preserving spiritual values in a modern society.

Press Department of the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic

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