**Pakistan, Ethiopia Enhance Cooperation Following High-Level Meeting in Islamabad**
Pakistan and Ethiopia have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties, particularly in the areas of economic cooperation, trade, and parliamentary engagement, during a meeting between Ethiopian Ambassador Jemal Beker Abdula and Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. The meeting highlighted new opportunities in the aviation sector and underscored mutual interests in regional and global cooperation.
Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani welcomed the Ethiopian envoy at his residence, expressing Pakistan’s appreciation for its relationship with Ethiopia. He lauded the inauguration of direct flights between Karachi and Addis Ababa, noting this as a significant step towards enhancing partnership in the aviation industry. Both sides discussed the potential for further collaboration in air connectivity, with the Ambassador confirming plans to expand direct flights to Islamabad and Lahore.
Discussions also focused on boosting economic ties, with the Senate Chairman proposing increased bilateral trade and investment. Gilani highlighted Pakistan’s renowned rice varieties as a potential export to Ethiopia, emphasizing the value of diversifying trade portfolios to benefit both countries. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to greater cooperation in economic, trade, and agricultural spheres.
Parliamentary collaboration featured prominently in the talks. Chairman Gilani extended an invitation to Ethiopia’s parliamentary leadership to visit Pakistan and encouraged the exchange of parliamentary delegations. He further announced that an Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference is scheduled to be held in Pakistan later this year and expressed hope for Ethiopia’s active participation. Gilani championed the role of Parliamentary Friendship Groups and called for increased people-to-people contacts to further cement bilateral ties.
Both leaders recognized the importance of mutual support on international platforms, including joint efforts to address climate change. Ambassador Abdula welcomed Pakistan’s initiatives and reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation in various sectors, stressing the significance of continued collaboration on global issues of mutual concern.
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing optimism about the future of Pakistan-Ethiopia relations, with a shared resolve to explore new areas of partnership and strategic cooperation.
