ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Foreign Ministers of Ethiopia and Russia on Monday commended the two countries' 120 years of diplomatic relations, with particular praise to relations in the economic, political and international matters. Gebeyehu further noted that the celebrations of 120 years of diplomatic relations would serve as an impetus to recommit the two countries to work towards a much more dynamic and encompassing partnership. The Ethiopian government has recently indicated its ambition to strengthen economic and investment relations with Russia to cut its trade deficit with Moscow. According to Meles Alem, Ethiopian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the current trade relations between the two "historically connected countries" stood in favor of Russia. Ethiopian export to Russia last year totaled about 24.8 million U.S. dollars, while its import from Russia was 52.4 million dollars, according to figures from the ministry.

Source: Ethiopian News February 19, 2018 14:37 UTC