ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Foreign Ministers of Ethiopia and Russia on Monday commended the two countries' 120 years of diplomatic relations, with particular praise to relations in the economic, political and international matters.
Workneh Gebeyehu and Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Ministers of Ethiopia and Russia respectively, on Monday exchanged telegram that touched on the two countries' century-old ties and future partnership implications, according to the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to Gebeyehu, the past 120 years of diplomatic relations among the two countries "have been a period of consistent friendship and fruitful partnership, particularly in upholding and defending the cardinal principles of state sovereignty and independence."
Gebeyehu further noted that the celebrations of 120 years of diplomatic relations would serve as an impetus to recommit the two countries to work towards a much more dynamic and encompassing partnership.
Lavrov on his part also commended the achievements made during the historic relations, particularly noting the "high level mutual understanding in the international arena and unchanged commitment towards each others' interest."
The Russian foreign minister further expressed his expectations that the "time-proved partnership among the two countries will continue to strengthen in order to ensure peace and stability on the African continent."
The Ethiopian government has recently indicated its ambition to strengthen economic and investment relations with Russia to cut its trade deficit with Moscow.
According to Meles Alem, Ethiopian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the current trade relations between the two "historically connected countries" stood in favor of Russia.
Ethiopian export to Russia last year totaled about 24.8 million U.S. dollars, while its import from Russia was 52.4 million dollars, according to figures from the ministry.
