Imran Khan, Abiy Ahmed discuss Pakistan-Ethiopia ties

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan held telephonic talks with Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed in the context of Pakistan’s “Engage Africa” policy.

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of closer bilateral ties with Ethiopia and reiterated his felicitations to Prime Minister Abiy on winning the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize.

PM Khan conveyed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Government and people of Ethiopia, and commended their effective measures to control the spread of COVID-19.

The discussion focused on debt relief matters, including Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ‘Global Initiative for Debt Relief’ for developing countries in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The PM underscored that developing countries faced the twin challenge of containing the disease and staving off hunger due to loss of livelihoods. He emphasized that while debt suspension will help free up resources, enhanced measures were needed to reboot the developing economies.

Noting that a global recession was imminent, the Prime Minister underlined that developing countries would need a combination of additional measures to meet urgent financial requirements, sustain growth, strengthen fragile health systems as well as to save lives and provide social protection to those below the poverty line.

The two leaders agreed on the importance of working together, along with the UN Secretary General and other stakeholders, to evolve a comprehensive plan on debt relief issues.

Bilaterally, Prime Minister Khan stressed upon further deepening of cooperation including enhanced political and diplomatic linkages and increased mutual trade.

The PM reiterated his invitation to Prime Minister Abiy to visit Pakistan at the earliest convenience.