President Salva Kiir shakes hands with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Dr. Gideon Timothewos during bilateral talks at the State House. Photo credit: Office of the President

President Salva Kiir held talks this afternoon with visiting Ethiopian Foreign Minister Dr. Gideon Timothewos, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between South Sudan and Ethiopia.

According to a statement from the Office of the President, the discussions focused on reinforcing the longstanding strategic and historic ties between Juba and Addis Ababa.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Monday Semaya Kumba.

The Ethiopian foreign minister said the talks also explored ways to enhance economic cooperation, with both sides expressing commitment to expanding mutual benefits in trade and development projects.

Minister Kumba confirmed that his Ethiopian counterpart delivered a special message from Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed to President Kiir, covering bilateral relations as well as regional and international affairs.