Russia, Ethiopia Set Up Parliamentary Contacts

State Duma speaker Gennady Seleznyov announced during a meeting today with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi that the lower chamber of the Russian parliament would ratify inter-governmental agreements signed by the two states without delay. The accords aim to expand relations between the countries. Seleznyov said that he saw the arrival of the Ethiopian parliamentary delegation in the Russian capital as an important boost to contacts between the State Duma and the Ethiopian parliament. According to Zenawi, the delegation has come to Russia "to resurrect the wonderful relations that used to exist with Russia in the economic and trade sphere." The level of this relationship has dropped in the past decade. The premier believes that the parliaments of both countries have a significant role to play in this area. Zenawi said that a Treaty on Partnership and Co-operation between Russia and Ethiopia would be signed during his visit. This document will provide a basis for co-operation agreements in various spheres to be signed.