Ethiopian Diaspora urged to back five year dev’t plan

May 31, 2006

Addis Ababa - Ethiopian Ambassador to Italy, Girum Abay called on the Ethiopian Diaspora to play a role towards the realization of the five-year development plan designed by the Ethiopian government in a bid to improve the livelihood of compatriots.

Speaking at an event organized to mark the 15th anniversary of the May 28 victory at the Ethiopian Embassy in Rome, Ambassador Girum said the government has designed a multi-sectoral strategy aimed at bringing about speedy and sustainable development in the country.

The Ethio-Italy relations and cooperation have been steadily growing, Ambassador Girum said, and added that the 220 million euro loan provided by the Italian Government for the execution of the Gilgel Gibe II Hydro Electric Power Project is an indicator of the ever strengthening relations between the two countries.

The return of the Axum Obelisk to Ethiopia, development cooperation pacts, debt cancellation, cultural cooperation as well as political ties were among the factors that scaled up the Ethio-Italy relations, according to Ambassador Girum.

The event was attended by more than 110 Ethiopians.

(ENA)