Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (APA) - A French delegation on Wednesday arrived in Addis Ababa with the objective of establishing some twinning relationship between Ethiopian and French cities.
The delegation, lead by the president of Lyon and mayor of Le vel Ban town, Jean Paul, will pay a five day visit to both Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa, located some 525 kilometres east of Addis Ababa, on the border with Djibouti.
Upon arrival at the Bole International airport, the French delegation was welcomed by the deputy mayor of Addis Ababa Kefyalew Azeze and other officials.
The French delegation is scheduled to leave for Dire Dawa where it will on Friday sign an agreement with the Dire Dawa city authorities a twinning relationship between Lyon and Dire Dawa.
The agreement is expected to enhance the relationships between the two cities in various areas.
Meanwhile, Mayor Paul is also expected to hold talks on Thursday with Addis Ababa mayor, Kuma Demeksa and other officials on how to strengthen relationships between Lyon and Le vel Ban cities with Addis Ababa.
In the past few years, many Ethiopian towns have established such relationships with cities in Europe and a South African city.
Source: APA, Feb 11, 2009