Islamabad: Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, while expressing best wishes for the outgoing Ethiopian Ambassador’s future endeavours, has expressed confidence that Pakistan-Ethiopia relations would continue to grow stronger in the years ahead. He was talking to the Ambassador of Ethiopia, Dr Jemal Beker Abdula, who paid a farewell call on him in Islamabad today.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Acting President appreciated the Ambassador’s efforts in promoting and strengthening Pakistan-Ethiopia relations during his tenure. Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said the Ethiopian Ambassador played a key role in advancing political, economic, and people-to-people linkages between the two brotherly nations. He also lauded Dr Jemal Beker Abdula’s contribution to the Green Pakistan Initiative and his active role in addressing climate change.
The Acting President extended an invitation to the Speakers of both Houses of the Ethiopian Parliament for attending the upcoming Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference being held in Islamabad next month. In his remarks, Ambassador Dr Jemal Beker Abdula praised the leadership role of Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, saying that the entire African region, including Ethiopia, acknowledges his contributions in promoting Pakistan’s relations with African countries.
He said Pakistan is an important country for the African continent and that Ethiopia holds its relationship with Pakistan in the highest esteem. The Ethiopian Ambassador said that the African region considers Pakistan a well-wisher and a brotherly nation, adding that Ethiopia will always remember and acknowledge the efforts of Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in prioritizing relations with Ethiopia.
He also lauded the Acting President’s active role in promoting people-to-people contacts through parliamentary diplomacy. Dr Jemal Beker Abdula recalled the celebration of Africa Day in the Senate of Pakistan and the resolution passed on the occasion, terming it a milestone that will always be remembered by all African nations. He praised Pakistan’s resilience and progress, expressing confidence that Pakistan would play an increasingly important role at the global level.
The outgoing Ambassador affirmed that he would personally deliver the conference invitations to the Ethiopian parliamentary leadership.