Ellen lauds Ethiopia

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has lauded the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia for its unprecedented transformation over the last several years in various spheres of human development.

The president said Ethiopia has now become not just the political capital of the continent but also economic hub of Africa. President Sirleaf was speaking on Day One of her official State Visit to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia holding bilateral talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Mr. Hailemariam Dessalegn.

A dispatch from Ethiopia says President Sirleaf’s visit was intended
to review and strengthen bilateral and diplomatic ties between the two
countries. President Sirleaf described Ethiopia as a regional
investment powerhouse with vast experiences that could be of enormous
benefits once tapped into innovatively.

The president said Ethiopia remains a shining star of Africa in
the rail transportation sector and is the home to the single largest
hydroelectric dam on the
African continent.

Concerning Liberia, President Sirleaf said her country is going
through a period of
transformation after a period of difficult past characterized by three
separate shocks including the Ebola Virus Disease.

She thanked Ethiopia for deploying its professionals – mainly young people who
made invaluable contributions to the fight against the Ebola virus
without an incident. She said the young medical professionals from
Ethiopia and other parts of Africa and the world helped to inspire
Liberian ownership that fought the virus resiliently to an end.

President Sirleaf also paid a courtesy call on the President of
Ethiopia,  Dr. Mulatu Teshome – during which the two leaders exchanged
notes on the historical ties between both nations and peoples. Their
discussion also focused on regional, continental and global issues.

For his part, Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn congratulated
President Sirleaf for the visit and praised her exemplary leadership
on the African continent.  Prime Minister Dessalegn said the
exceptional leadership demonstrated by President Sirleaf as
Chairperson of the Regional Group ECOWAS in ending the Gambian crisis
without rancor is a clear manifestation of an ingrained Stateswoman.
He expressed Ethiopia’s preparedness to work with Liberia in very
critical areas of mutual
benefit in the best interest to both countries. – Press release