President Girma awards medallions of honor to Cuban soldiers
The Ethiopian News Agency
December 18, 2007

Addis Ababa, December 18, 2007 (Addis Ababa) - President Girma Woldegiorgis awarded medallions of honor to Cuban soldiers who fought along the Ethiopian soldiers during the Ethio-Somali war in 1977.

While giving the medallions at a ceremony held here at the national palace on Monday, President Girma said that the Cuban soldiers who fought to protect the sovereignty of Ethiopia had opened a new chapter in the Ethio-Cuban relation.

The role the Cuban soldiers played had laid firm foundation that enabled Ethiopia and Cuba beef up their relation during peaceful period, he said.

Cuban development experts are currently making efforts to assist development efforts of Ethiopia, Girma added.

The existing cooperation between Ethiopia and Cuba, particularly in the education and health sectors is an indicator of Cuba�s commitment in supporting Ethiopia's development, he said.

President Girma said the two countries are currently making due efforts to bring their cooperation to a higher level, and added that the celebration of the Ethio-Cuban friendship is unique as it coincided with the Ethiopian millennium celebration.

Ethiopian's have great respect for fellow Cubans who paid priceless sacrifice in protecting the Sovereignty of Ethiopia, President Girma said, and added that the Cuban heroes would be remembered in Ethiopia for generations.

President Girma on the occasion gave special award to Cuban Vice President and Secretary of the Ministers' Council Executive Committee and medallions to 13 members of the Cuban delegation who participated in the war.

Minister of National Defense, Kuma Demeksa also said the Ethio-Cuba friendship should be celebrated by honoring the Cuban soldiers who paid enormous sacrifices while fighting along with the Ethiopian soldiers.

Cuban Vice President, Esteban Lazo Hernandez for his part said that 5,000 Cubans are currently serving in Ethiopia, while 3,500 Ethiopians are attending their education in Cuba.

The Vice President expressed delegation's happiness over coming to Ethiopia during the celebration of the new millennium.

The Ethiopian and Cuban Friendship Monument and park that was inaugurated on Monday would further strengthen the existing Ethio Cuban bilateral relations, he said

Meles receives, hold talks with Cuban Vice President
December 17, 2007

Addis Ababa, December 17, 2007 (Addis Ababa) - Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held talks here on Monday with a Cuban delegation led by its Vice President, Esteban Lazo Hernandez.

Prime Minister Meles said on the occasion that the relation between the two countries is cemented with blood and based on people-to-people ties.

Meles said the existence of the Ethio-Cuba Joint Commission shows the good relations between the two countries, according to a Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Besides commemorating the sacrifices of Cuban soldiers who fought along with the Ethiopian compatriots in 1977 Ethio-Somali war, the �Ethiopian and Cuban Friendship Monument and Park� which was inaugurated on Monday would be a base to scale up the Ethio-Cuban bilateral ties to a higher level.

Meles said it is necessary to look for alternatives that would help support one another.

Hernandez, who is also Secretary of the Ministers� Council Executive Committee, on his part told journalists that the newly inaugurated �Ethiopian and Cuban Friendship Monument and Park� commemorates not only the Cuban soldiers but also the longstanding people-to-people ties of the two countries.

The two sides conferred on bilateral relations and on what should the relations of the two countries look like in the fields of education and health, among others.

The Vice President delivered greetings of Cuban President, Fidel Castro and the people of Cuba as well to Meles.