Pakistan and Ethiopia are two key states that are linked through CPEC commercial links
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan during a telephonic conversation with Ethiopian Premier has underscored that developing countries are faced with the twin challenge of containing the coronavirus and staving off hunger due to loss of livelihoods.
In his telephonic talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali over the telephone on May 4, 2020 PM Imran Khan emphasized that while debt suspension will help free up resources, enhanced measures are needed to reboot the developing economies.
The Prime Minister conveyed Pakistan’s solidarity with the government and people of Ethiopia and commended their effective measures to control the spread of COVID-19.
It is important to note that Pakistan and Ethiopia are two key states that are linked through CPEC commercial links. It is believed that both leaders must have discussed new challenges and pressures after coronavirus devastation.
PM Imran Khan focused his discussion with Ethiopian counterpart on debt relief matters and recalled his ‘Global Initiative for Debt Relief’ for developing countries in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Noting that a global recession is imminent, Imran Khan underlined that developing countries would need a combination of additional measures to meet urgent financial requirements, sustain growth, and strengthen fragile health systems as well as to save lives and provide social protection to those below the poverty line.
The two leaders agreed on the importance of working together, along with the UN Secretary-General and other stakeholders, to evolve a comprehensive plan on debt relief issues.
Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated his invitation to Prime Minister Abiy to visit Pakistan at the earliest convenience.