RIYADH: Ambassador Amin Abdulkader underscored the excellent Saudi-Ethiopian ties as his country marked its 25th National Day anniversary on Sunday.
Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar was the guest of honor. He expressed hope for continuous excellent Saudi-Ethiopian bilateral ties as well as prosperity for the African country and its people.
Ambassador Abdulkader said that the two brotherly countries are enjoying close and excellent bilateral relations as shown by the visit to the Kingdom last year by Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.
The Ethiopian premier met with Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman and other top officials to discuss bilateral relations, regional issues, human trafficking, trade and other important matters of mutual interest.
Moreover, joint meetings were held in Riyadh last September to review all aspects of the relationship such as education, labor, trafficking and other issues. An agreement on political consultation between the two countries was also signed to strengthen relations.
On trade, Ethiopia imports around 40 percent of its needs from Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is the fifth largest exporter to Ethiopia, behind China, Germany, Somalia and Switzerland.
He also said that Ethiopia boasts veritable tourist spots, including cultural and archaeological attractions.
He added that “Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed a long standing historical relationship for many centuries both in terms of business and people-to-people contacts.” “Cultural bonds are deep-rooted, strong and ancient. They go back to the time of the Prophet when he told his family and followers to take refuge in Ethiopia when threatened by persecution in Makkah,” he said. He added that in return, “the Prophet instructed his followers not to touch the Abyssinians, Ethiopians today, except in self-defense.”
“Islam, of course, was born in Saudi Arabia but it was in Ethiopia that its adherents were first allowed to practice it freely. There are a number of episodes detailed in the annals of Islamic and Ethiopian tradition,” he said.
He added that Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia have been able to maintain positive relations as they cooperate in regional security.
“We cannot see the security of the Gulf region separately from the security of the Horn of Africa. Absence of security in one region directly affects conditions in the other region,” he said.
Other diplomats who attended the occasion included Algerian Ambassador M. Ahmed Abdessadik, Philippine Ambassador Ezzedin H. Tago, Sierra Leonean Ambassador Alhaji Mohamed S. Karagbo, Kosovo Ambassador Dr. Rexhep Boja,Burundi Embassy Charge d’Affaires Leonidas Mbakenga, Yemeni Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Abdu Mohamed Jarallah Khodaier, among others.
Former Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister and Ambassador Engr. Alaudeen A. Alaskary was also there.
The Ethiopian diplomats present on the occasion included Minister Feysal Aliyi, Minister Counselor Abdurahim Mohammed Ali, Minister Counselor Deme Muleta, First Secretary Tariku Mangistu Dima, Second Secretary Lula Nour, among others.
Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar was the guest of honor. He expressed hope for continuous excellent Saudi-Ethiopian bilateral ties as well as prosperity for the African country and its people.
Ambassador Abdulkader said that the two brotherly countries are enjoying close and excellent bilateral relations as shown by the visit to the Kingdom last year by Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.
The Ethiopian premier met with Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman and other top officials to discuss bilateral relations, regional issues, human trafficking, trade and other important matters of mutual interest.
Moreover, joint meetings were held in Riyadh last September to review all aspects of the relationship such as education, labor, trafficking and other issues. An agreement on political consultation between the two countries was also signed to strengthen relations.
On trade, Ethiopia imports around 40 percent of its needs from Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom is the fifth largest exporter to Ethiopia, behind China, Germany, Somalia and Switzerland.
He also said that Ethiopia boasts veritable tourist spots, including cultural and archaeological attractions.
He added that “Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed a long standing historical relationship for many centuries both in terms of business and people-to-people contacts.” “Cultural bonds are deep-rooted, strong and ancient. They go back to the time of the Prophet when he told his family and followers to take refuge in Ethiopia when threatened by persecution in Makkah,” he said. He added that in return, “the Prophet instructed his followers not to touch the Abyssinians, Ethiopians today, except in self-defense.”
“Islam, of course, was born in Saudi Arabia but it was in Ethiopia that its adherents were first allowed to practice it freely. There are a number of episodes detailed in the annals of Islamic and Ethiopian tradition,” he said.
He added that Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia have been able to maintain positive relations as they cooperate in regional security.
“We cannot see the security of the Gulf region separately from the security of the Horn of Africa. Absence of security in one region directly affects conditions in the other region,” he said.
Other diplomats who attended the occasion included Algerian Ambassador M. Ahmed Abdessadik, Philippine Ambassador Ezzedin H. Tago, Sierra Leonean Ambassador Alhaji Mohamed S. Karagbo, Kosovo Ambassador Dr. Rexhep Boja,Burundi Embassy Charge d’Affaires Leonidas Mbakenga, Yemeni Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Abdu Mohamed Jarallah Khodaier, among others.
Former Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister and Ambassador Engr. Alaudeen A. Alaskary was also there.
The Ethiopian diplomats present on the occasion included Minister Feysal Aliyi, Minister Counselor Abdurahim Mohammed Ali, Minister Counselor Deme Muleta, First Secretary Tariku Mangistu Dima, Second Secretary Lula Nour, among others.
