At a meeting with the Ethiopian President, Matviyenko called her visit productive

During her official visit to Ethiopia on February 20, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko met with the country's President Taye Atskeselassie and told him about the results of the previous day's talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and the presidents of both houses of parliament - the Federation Council and the House of People's Representatives - Agyenyehu Teshager and Tagesse Chaffo.

She noted that the visit was very effective and the sides managed to reach concrete agreements.

The SF press service added that Russia received confirmation of the Ethiopian side's interest in developing joint cooperation. Matvienko separately noted the effective interaction with colleagues in the BRICS line.

"Russia actively supported Ethiopia's joining this association, and we felt the enthusiasm and constructive attitude of Ethiopian partners. Your country makes a notable contribution to the collective strength of the association and gives its members a fresh perspective on the African continent. BRICS has gained a new, dynamic and active member," she was quoted as saying in the Federation Council's Telegram channel.

The press service of the Federation Council specified that the Russian Federation is interested in increasing trade and economic cooperation with Ethiopia, especially in agriculture, renewable energy, mining, information and communication technologies and tourism.

Atskeselassie assured that the course started to strengthen and deepen cooperation with Russia will be continued. At the end of the visit Matvienko visited the museum of the National Palace and left a note in the book of honorary guests, indicating that the exposition she saw reflects the careful attitude of the Ethiopian leadership to the historical traditions of statehood and cultural heritage.

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Earlier, on February 18, the first day of the visit, Matvienko said that Ethiopian authorities plan to take part in the celebrations dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The country will be represented by either the prime minister or the president. According to her, the expansion of interaction between Ethiopia and Russia is in the national interests of the two countries.

Before that, on February 6, Moscow summarized the results of Russia's joint work with the countries of the African continent on the forum track in 2024 and outlined plans for 2025. It was specified that 2024 was a milestone year for cooperation between Russia and Africa.