Thursday, January 21, 2016

Ethiopia: Delegation Says U.S Keen to Strengthen People-to-People Ties




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Presently, Ethio-US relationship is based on the principle of mutual cooperation and partnership in various areas particularly trade and investment.
President Dr. Mulatu Teshome received US Baptist Church Convention delegation comprising five members at the National Palace here yesterday. The delegation assured the President that US is keen to strengthen people-to-people ties. In addition to ways of strengthening public diplomacy, the President also told the delegation about the favorable investment climate in the country and called for church followers to take advantage of existing opportunities.
Two decades back, Ethiopia's relations with US was limited to aid. But presently, their relationship is based on the principle of mutual cooperation and partnership in various areas particularly trade and investment, the President said.
US Southern Baptist Church Convention President and delegation head Dr. Ronnie Floyd said the objective of the visit is mainly to gain lesson from religious values in Ethiopia, the importance of natural marriage and family in a bid to strengthen relations between the two countries in various fields. "The delegation appreciates the freedom of worship which treats all religions equally," he added.
Foreign Ministry Americas Director General Ambassador Tebeje Berhe also said that the visit of the church representatives could contribute to the development of business diplomacy between Ethiopia and the US. "The delegation will attend the celebration of Ethiopian Epiphany aimed at sharing of good values to the world and strengthening public diplomacy as well."
The Southern Baptist Church Convention is the largest church in the US having over 50,000 churches.

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