Ethiopia is the true gateway to African-Israeli relationship - PM

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn is in Israel on a four-day official visit. He is expected to touch on diplomacy and economic cooperation as well as meet nationals who live in Israel.

The Premier arrived in Tel Aviv on Sunday and the state-affiliated news portal (FANA broadcasting corporate) reports that he has already held talks with the President of Israel, Reuven Rivin – their deliberations touched on bilateral and international issues of concern.

“We represent truly the African-Israeli relationship as a gateway to Africa. So we will do everything at our disposal to make Israel-Africa relationship to mature and grow and Ethiopia will take leadership in this regard.

“And rest assured that we will be with you. We know the need for African-Israeli relationship to be deepened,” Reuters quoted Desalegn as saying after the meeting.

He will also be meeting with his counterpart, PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, after the Israeli Premier returns from an Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) summit in Liberia.

His talks with Netanyahu and other top ranking government officials is expected to center around closer cooperation. Agreements are also due to be signed between the two sides at different levels.

Desalegn, on his first official visit to Israel, is scheduled to lay a wreath at Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and tour the old city.

Netanyahu travelled to Ethiopia in July 2016 during the first visit by a sitting Israeli prime minister to Africa in 29 years.