Prime Minister Hailemariam met a US delegation led by Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma at his office on Thursday (January 10th).

The Prime Minister noted that Ethio-US cooperation which had long concentrated on humanitarian assistance had now evolved into meaningful development relations in the areas of trade, investment and infrastructure development.

He stressed the need to further enhance cooperation in security and defence affairs. Senator Inhofe emphasized that Ethiopia and the U.S. needed to work closely and continue to build mutual trust. He underlined the U.S. government's firm stand in support Ethiopia's fight against terrorism.

The Senator said that the close personal relationship he had established with the late Prime Minister Meles had helped enhance diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and the U.S. He hoped that good relations with Prime Minister Hailemariam would continue to enhance and expand relations between their two countries.