President Ismael Omar Guelleh of the Republic of Djibouti had given the Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives of Ethiopia, Abadula Gemeda, the medal of the Commander of the National Order of June 27.

Speaker Abadula was given the honor in recognition of his efforts to reinforce cooperation between Ethiopia and Djibouti. The Speaker made a working visit to Djibouti last week to discuss means and ways of strengthening the IGAD Inter-Parliamentary Union.

During discussions with President Guelleh, Speaker Abadula stressed the need to engage actively to consolidate the Parliamentary Union. He urged member states to pay their contributions without delay. President Ismael and Speaker Abadula also discussed the bilateral relations of the two countries already seen as a model for increasing integration in the region.