ADDIS ABABA, Jan 27 (NNN-ENA) — Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held discussion heer Tuesday with the visiting Portuguese Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Co-operation, Dr. Joao Gomes Cravinho.

The visiting official also delivered a message of condolence regarding the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 in the eastern Mediterranenan on Monday sent by the Portuguese Prime Minister, Jose Socrates.

The two parties discussed on ways to enhance the existing bilateral relations and also deliberated on the 13th African Partnership Forum held here on Monday. They also discussed the situation in neighbouring Sudan and Somalia.

Dr. Cravinho said later that he discussed with the prime minister issues related to European Union-African Union co-operation.

He commended Ethiopia?s support for his country to be elected a member of the United Nations Security Council and lauded Ethiopia?s strength despite the global economic crisis.

He said his country was getting out of the crisis which would enable both countries to further enhance co-operation.

He also commended Ethiopia?s effort in ensuring peace and security in the Horn of Africa.

The visiting Portuguese official also held talks Tuesday with Foreign Affairs Minister Seyoum Mesfin, who said Portugal had contributed significantly towards strengthening relations between Africa and Europe.

Seyoum, who added that during its presidency of the European Union (EU), Portugal had played key role to enhance relations between the two continents, stressed that the utmost efforts should be exerted to further scale up the existing relations of the continents in the economic, social and political sectors.

According to a senior government official, Seyoum briefed the visitor in particular on issues related to the situation in Somalia and Sudan. The minister said the international community should give prime attention to assisting the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia.

The two parties also discussed on issues related to Darfur and the proposed referendum in South Sudan. Seyoum on the occasion called on the international community to support the commitment of the Ethiopian government in efforts to make its upcoming national elections peaceful, democratic and fair.

The Secretary of State on his part lauded Ethiopia?s efforts to maintain peace in Africa and expressed sadness over the accident on the Ethiopian Airlines. — NNN-ENA

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