The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) hosted an In-House Meeting on September 12, 2019, with a 9-member Ethiopian delegation headed by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Markos Tekle, State Minister of Foreign Affairs. Other members of the delegation included: H.E. Ambassador Misiganu Arega, State Minister, Ministry of Trade & Industry; Mrs. Munteha Jemal, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Assefa Mulugeta, Director General,, Ministry of Trade & Investment; Mr. Woldehawariya Assefa, Director General, Ministry of Agriculture; Mr. Getachew Mekebo, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Yirgalem Behireshum, Desk Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Haile Berhe, Businessman; and Mr. Tewodros Yilma, Businessman.
Welcoming the delegation, Ambassador Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Director General, ISSI said that the Government of Pakistan attaches great importance to the African continent. Pakistan, in the past, did not utilize the markets in Africa, but the time has come to work harder to reach out to Africa. Pakistan is now following a ‘Look Africa’ policy and in this regard the recent interaction between the Prime Ministers of both Pakistan and Ethiopia was a positive development and the beginning of Pakistan-Ethiopia ties. He also said that the visit of the Ethiopian delegation signified the importance Africa also attaches to Pakistan. He was of the view that within Africa, Ethiopia which is the seat of the African Union is an important country with whom Pakistan would like to develop ties and engage more rigorously.
