Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Tewodros said Ethiopia would remain resolute in strengthening the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The Minister made his remarks at a meeting with IGAD's Executive Secretary, Mahboub Maalim, on Thursday (December 20th).

Dr. Tedros noted that Ethiopia attached great importance to IGAD's effort to boost regional integration and would always remain supportive of efforts to strength IGAD. Ethiopia would further intensify its efforts in connecting neighboring countries through infrastructural links, he added.

Executive Secretary Maalim said that IGAD had carried out tremendous activities under the leadership of Ethiopia, and called on the Ethiopian government to continue its support to improve and strengthen the regional body. The Minister and the Executive Secretary agreed on the need for the international community to provide timely and effective support to the new government in Somalia.