The Honourable Gen.Abdisamad Ali Shire, vice President of Puntland State of Somalia, opened the first Ethiopian Consulate in Garowe
The Honourable Gen.Abdisamad Ali Shire, vice President of Puntland State of Somalia, opened the first Ethiopian Consulate in Garowe, Puntland on 29 May 2010.
The ceremony was attend by the Ethiopian Ambassador, Puntland officials and local leaders.
Puntland and Ethiopia have a strong security and trade relationship, said the Ethiopian Ambassador to Puntland, MrAsmalash. The Ambassador emphasized the importance of Puntland-Ethiopia relations. The Consulate General of Ethiopia in Garowe, will focus on trade and immigration issues, as well as security relations.
This ceremony coincided with the successful completion of general elections in Ethiopia, says the Ambassador.
The minister of foreign relations and Planning of Puntland, Dr. Daud Mohamed Omar, who also attended the ceremony welcomed the opening of the consulate, saying it will improve the relations between the two neighbouring regions.
“…this office will help many Somalis who frequently travel to Ethiopia…†said the minister.
The vice President of Puntland, Gen.Abdisamad Ali Shire, who officially opened the consulate said the opening of the consulate was part of his government’s efforts to improve the ties with Ethiopia.
The opening of the consulate comes just a week after Ethiopian troops killed more than 14 civilians in Buhodle town, in Cayn region of Puntland State.
The clash in Buhodle was one of the bloodiest in Puntland for years, Ethiopian soldiers killed 14 civilians in the town, after the locals protested against the incursions and the harsh treatments of the Ethiopian border troops.
2010 © Horseed Media
