ADDIS ABABA, March 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's visit to Ethiopia next week will mainly focus on exchanging views on aspects of peace and security, terrorism and further strengthening the U.S.-Africa cooperation on democracy and development, according to the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The U.S. State Department announced on Thursday that Ethiopia is one of the five African countries that Tillerson will visit in his first working visit to the continent from March 6-13.
The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated on Friday that Tillerson's working visit to Ethiopia, in particular, "is aimed at exchanging views on aspects of peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the continent at large, and the fight against terrorism."
The ministry further indicated that looking for ways to further strengthen the U.S.-Africa cooperation on democracy and development is expected to be another target of Tillerson's visit.
According to the ministry, Workneh Gebeyehu, Ethiopian Foreign Minister, during his visit to the United States a fortnight ago had expressed Ethiopia's commitment to reinforce the partnership with the United States in various areas.
"Ethiopia and the United States reiterated their continued commitment to reinforce their partnership in areas, including the promotion of regional peace and security, the fight against terrorism, enhancing development, the buildup of democracy and the protection of human rights," the ministry said.
According to the state department, Tillerson's first official trip to Africa will take him to Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria.
Tillerson is expected to meet officials of the five countries as well as the leadership of the African Union Commission (AUC) based in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, in a bid to further the U.S. partnerships with the African continent, it was noted.
