Concluding his official visit to Ethiopia on Monday the deputy secretary told journalists in Addis Ababa that his country will continue to support Ethiopia in areas of agriculture and health.

“I am here to listen and underscore our commitment to work with the people and government of Ethiopia,” he said.

The deputy secretary said the new administration seeks long term and sustainable agricultural sector growth to boost farmers’ productivity, increase food availability and raise income with a view to eradicating famine.

In the global health arena, he said, we seek to build on the successes of our HIV/AIDS program to build durable and sustainable health system while concentrating on maternal and child health.

The deputy secretary mentioned that Ethiopia has made important strides in the areas of agriculture and health, pointing out that the new America’s administration looks forward to working together with the Ethiopian government to achieve the common goal of improving the lives of Ethiopians.

He also said that Ethiopia is working in a positive direction on poverty reduction while facing very difficult challenges.

The United States is committed to working closely with Ethiopia to find new ways and new mechanisms so as to gain more productive results, he added.

In his visit to Ethiopia the secretary met with senior government officials including Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

He also paid a courtesy visit to the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange, an organized marketplace where buyers and sellers come together to trade and assured of quality, quantity and payment, and the Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Addis Ababa.

The deputy secretary told ENA that he had fruitful discussion with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on development cooperation and other issues of mutual interest.