Ambassador Degfe presents credentials to President of Burundi

Addis Ababa, June 7 (WIC) - Non-resident Ethiopian Ambassador to Burundi, Degfe Bula, presented his credentials to President of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza.

According to a statement the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent to WIC ambassador Degfe on the occasion said the diplomatic relationship between Ethiopia and Burundi has been growing from time to time.

The two countries have been collaborating in various continental and international forums, said ambassador Degfe, citing both countries’ determination to bring durable peace in the Horn of African region.

Ambassador Degfe also applauded efforts of Burundi to bring peace and stability and support the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia by deploying peacekeepers.

Ethiopia and Burundi have a common stand on fair distribution of Nile water share, he said, adding     the double-digit economic growth Ethiopia has been registering is alike that of Burundi’s efforts to reduce poverty.

President of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza, on his part underscored the need to further consolidate the relationship between the two countries.

The president said his country is ready to further strengthen the works it has been doing jointly with Ethiopia to fetch peace in the Horn of Africa.

The government and people of Burundi will not forget Ethiopia, a country that contributed for the stability of Burundi while Burundi was in a war and at a difficult time by deploying peacekeepers, he said.

President Nkurunziza further said Ethiopia’s peacekeeping mission in Africa testifies that the country’s peace and development is a firm foundation. It also shows Ethiopia’s continued and strengthened participation in Pan-Africanism.

Burundi would play its role towards pressurizing those countries who did not sign the Nile Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) to accept the pact.

Burundi has already signed the agreement and it would approve the accord by the parliament, according to the president.

Ambassador Degfe also held discussion with Burundian government officials on various bilateral issues and with Ethiopians on ways of enhancing their development contribution to their country of origin.