Ethiopia has reaffirmed its interest in strengthening trade and economic cooperation with Russia, speaker of the Federation Council (FC), the upper house of the Russian parliament, Valentina Matvienko said on Thursday after wrapping up her trip to the East African nation.
"The visit was productive, resulting in concrete agreements. The council speaker [Matvienko] said that Ethiopia had confirmed its strong interest in developing cooperation with Russia across parliamentary and trade-economic spheres," the Russian Federation Council (FC) said in a statement, following Matvienko's meeting with Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie on the final day of her visit to the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
Moscow is interested in increasing trade and economic cooperation with Addis Ababa, which has a huge potential, especially in agriculture, renewable energy, mining, information and communication technologies and tourism, according to the FC speaker.
"Affordable, continuously upgraded energy infrastructure, coupled with a young, skilled workforce, has been key to Ethiopia's increased investment attractiveness," the Russian official pointed out.
Matvienko also emphasized the effective interaction with Ethiopian colleagues within the framework of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and BRICS.
"Russia actively supported Ethiopia's accession to this association, and we felt the enthusiasm and constructive attitude of Ethiopian partners. The country is making a remarkable contribution to the collective strength of the association, giving its members a new perspective on the African continent. BRICS has gained a new, dynamic and active member," the speaker noted.
According to the FC statement, Ethiopia's president assured the Russian official that his country will continue and intensify the course of strengthening and deepening cooperation with Russia on a wide range of issues.
During a three-day trip, Matvienko met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and the speakers of both chambers of the Ethiopian parliament. She said that Ethiopian officials reaffirmed their commitment to deepening ties with Russia in various areas.