Tanzanian President John Magufuli (R) meets with the visiting Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn at State House in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, March 31, 2017. (Xinhua/Anthony Siame)
ARUSHA, Tanzania, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on Friday arrived in Tanzania's commercial capital Dar es Salaam for his two-day state visit in the east African nation to strengthen bilateral ties.
According to the statement issued by Tanzania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, the visit followed an invitation from Tanzanian President John Magufuli.
Magufuli extended the invitation during his meeting with the Ethiopian prime minister held on the sideline of the 28th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia early this year.
The visit is aimed at consolidating the existing diplomatic relations between Tanzania and Ethiopia through exploring new areas of cooperation including trade and investment.
During the visit, the Ethiopian prime minister will meet Magufuli in private talks at the state house followed later by official talks between the two countries.
Magufuli and his guest will witness the signing of three cooperation agreements.
"Tanzania and Ethiopia enjoy excellent relations and the latter intends to establish its embassy in the country," the statement said, adding that Ethiopia is currently represented in Tanzania by its ambassador based in Nairobi, Kenya.
