HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn held bilateral talks in a friendly and cordial atmosphere during which they reiterated their strong commitment to enhance their countries’ ties of co-operation and friendship, said a joint communique issued yesterday.  
The two leaders took note with satisfaction of the expanding relations between their two countries and between their two peoples.
They underscored the need to co-operate further on international and regional issues of common concern.
They also highlighted the necessity of co-ordinating efforts with the international community in fighting terrorism, which represents a threat to peace, stability and security in the entire world.
Prime Minister Desalegn commended the role of the State of Qatar in resolving conflicts in the Horn of Africa, and in the Darfur region in Sudan.
On his part, HH the Emir commended Ethiopia’s efforts in bringing peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region within the IGAD framework.
He expressed the readiness of Qatar to provide a humanitarian assistance to drought victims in different parts of Ethiopia, and to support the efforts of the government of Ethiopia for the development of education, health, infrastructure and energy sectors.
He also expressed the readiness to finance the establishment of a specialised hospital for kidney treatment.
The two leaders underlined their desire to enhance their economic co-operation, in both the private and public sectors.
In this regard, they encouraged the private sector of both countries to increase their co-operation.
HH the Emir also gave instructions to establish a loan portfolio for small and medium projects with the aim of finding job opportunities for the youth.
They also agreed to strengthen the political dialogue and consultation between the two countries.
They further emphasised their keenness to participate in the efforts of the international community to maintain peace and security in their respective regions and the world at large.
At the conclusion of the visit of HH the Emir, Prime Minister Desalegn expressed his gratitude to the Emir for visiting Ethiopia and for the cordial and fruitful discussions they held.
On his part, HH Sheikh Tamim thanked Prime Minister Desalegn, the government and people of Ethiopia, for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to him and his accompanying delegation.
He also extended an invitation to Prime Minister Desalegn to pay an official visit to Qatar.