Islamabad: In a significant diplomatic encounter, H.E. Jemal Beker Abdula, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, engaged in discussions with Chief of the Naval Staff, H.E. Admiral Naveed Ashraf, at the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, saw fruitful exchanges on various fronts, primarily focusing on bilateral cooperation in maritime affairs and regional security. Ambassador Jemal Beker Abdula underscored Ethiopia’s pivotal role in promoting pan-Africanism, fostering brotherhood, fraternity, and collaboration across the African continent.
Highlighting Ethiopia’s recent milestone, Ambassador Abdula informed Admiral Naveed Ashraf about the successful convening of the 37th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. This summit, attended by over 49 heads of states from African nations and senior officials from international bodies, showcased Ethiopia’s leadership in ensuring regional stability and its dedication to combatting terrorism.
The discussions also delved into Ethiopia’s regional integration endeavors, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project, port diversification initiatives, and energy exports to neighboring countries. Ambassador Abdula highlighted Ethiopia’s commitment to connecting the region by sharing resources with its counterparts, aiming for just and equitable development.
Emphasizing the significance of Ethiopia’s initiatives, Admiral Naveed Ashraf commended the country’s efforts towards regional integration and congratulated the Ethiopian government on the successful AU summit. He underscored the historical ties between Ethiopia and Pakistan, acknowledging the immense potential for bilateral cooperation, particularly in the maritime domain.
Both parties recognized the deep-rooted civilizations of their respective countries and expressed optimism about leveraging this heritage to enhance bilateral ties further. The meeting concluded with mutual agreement on the importance of continued collaboration between Ethiopia and Pakistan, with a focus on bolstering maritime cooperation and regional stability.