ADDIS ABABA

Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome on Monday said that his country's diplomatic relations with neighboring and Nile Basin countries were becoming stronger.

He said, however, that Eritrea was an exception.

Addressing a joint session of the two chambers of parliament in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian President said that Ethiopia’s relations with neighboring countries, in general, and with lower Nile riparian countries, in particular, have been gathering momentum.

"Relations with lower Nile riparian countries have been growing, particularly with Egypt as of late, after it changed its attitude toward the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam," the Ethiopian President said.

He added that the dam was 40 percent complete.

"Ethiopia will step up diplomatic efforts during the current fiscal year – which has started on July 8 – to maintain these amicable and progressing relations and cooperation with the countries of the region," he added.

He noted that Ethiopia maintained good relations with all neighboring countries, except for Eritrea.

"Despite our friendly gesture to reverse the trend of animosity, Eritrea maintains its stance and continues to support terrorist organizations in Ethiopia, such as Ginbot 7, OLF and ONLF," Mulatu said.

He added that his country would bolster its counterterror measures as well as measures aimed at deterring the [Eritrean] "war-mongering and rogue" regime from provocation.

Marvelous growth

Ethiopia's economy has been growing at the rate of 10.1 percent since the country mapped out the Growth and Transformation Plan in 2003, the Ethiopian President said.

He said Ethiopia would work hard to raise the current economic growth rate to 11.4 percent during the current fiscal year.

"We will also make efforts to put inflation under control," Mulatu said.

He said maintaining the growth of his country's gross domestic product would rely on enhancing the industrial sector, noting that the government would make industrial development a priority.

At present, the Ethiopian President said, the industrial and manufacturing sector has not taken up a broad base.

He said at the level of exports, his country's performance was below target.

"During the current year, efforts will be made to reverse the trend through quality and diversified exports" Mulatu said.

He said his country has a plan to raise its exports to $5 billion during the current fiscal year.

Mulatu said Ethiopia was prepared to hold its general elections in May 2016 in an atmosphere of transparency and fairness.

He added that Ethiopia's "ever-improving democratic climate" should be taken to a higher level.

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