Meles said the celebration of the day shall be an opportunity to Ethiopians to reinvigorate their commitments toward safeguarding the federal system of governance that fully realizes the dignity, rights, and benefits of all peoples of the nation.

The premier made the statement on Tuesday while speaking at the celebration of the 4th Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Day organized by the five neighboring regional states of the country in Dire Dawa town.

While celebrating the day, he said, Ethiopians shall reaffirm commitments toward bringing about a unified political and economic community as they sworn in while endorsing the national constitution.

 The premier called up on all Ethiopians on the occasion to play their level best toward on-going efforts geared toward extricating the nation out of poverty, and thereby enable the country become one of the middle income-earning states in the shortest time possible.

He also urged Ethiopians to actively take part in the upcoming national elections to be held in May 2010 both as candidates and electorate.

Speaker of the House of the Federation, Degfie Bula said on his part that the celebration of the day shall be an opportunity for Ethiopians to scale up efforts in making the country a unified and democratic state through ensuring mutual respect and understanding among the nations, nationalities, and peoples of Ethiopia.

The day will also help the peoples of the nation share their valuable experiences, cultural traditions, and their vision and aspirations, the speaker noted.

The Afar, Oromia, Somali, and Harari regional states as well as the Dire Dawa town Administration jointly organized the event. Parliamentary speakers and deputy speakers from Djibouti, Burundi, Rwanda, and Kenya as well as from the Somaliland expressed good wishes to the peoples of Ethiopia.

 President, Girma Woldegiorgis, Deputy Premier Addisu Legesse, chiefs of all regional states, federal government ministers, the diplomatic corps, and other invited guests attended the celebration. ENA