Prime Minister Hailemairam has praised the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, for his strong cross-border initiatives in support for global peace and stability.

In an interview published in the Qatari Daily newspaper, Al Sharq, yesterday (Tuesday, February 19th), Prime Minister Hailemairam said Ethiopia had a strategic and evolving relationship with Qatar which he described as an important country at regional and international level. He noted that there was a cooperation agreement between Qatar and Ethiopia to resolve conflicts in the region and said this would deliver positive results.

Ethiopia appreciated Qatari efforts to bring peace to Darfur and the significant progress it has made, he said, as "achieving peace in Sudan means achieving peace in the region." The Prime Minister said Ethiopia welcomed positive changes in Yemen, expressing support for the civilized transfer of power and the national reconciliation process. He praised the progress made in Somalia with the election of a President and a Parliament, and underlined the country's economic revitalization.

The Prime Minister, who is also the African Union Chairperson, stressed the importance of support from the international community but underlined the need to solve African issues within the African context and under an African umbrella.He also called on the international community to provide urgent support for the government and international forces operating under African leadership in Mali. Prime Minister Hailemariam also underlined the the strength of GCC-Ethiopian relations, noting that there was close cooperation with all the Gulf States.

He expressed his desire for Arab and GCC countries to invest in Ethiopia and emphasized that the doors were open for Qatari investments in private and public sectors. Policies had been developed to encourage and attract investors and provide them with all necessary facilities