By Seleshi Tessema

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

Ethiopia on Thursday agreed to train the military of Equatorial Guinea.

The announcement came at a joint news conference following a meeting between Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang in capital Addis Ababa.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said the two leaders discussed bilateral relations in the spheres of tourism, investment and trade.

"When it comes to defense cooperation agreement, Ethiopia has agreed to train the defense forces of the country,'' Desalegn said.

Obiang, who is on a three-day visit to the Horn of Africa country, said the two countries had signed three agreements, including on labor recruitments and bilateral relations.

"We will follow up and implement these agreements which will pave the way for more agreements," he said.

"As Equatorial Guinea is investing in infrastructure, we will provide the required skilled work force,’’ Desalegn added.

The long-serving president of Equatorial Guinea is the first foreign leader to visit Ethiopia since the latter declared a six-month state of emergency last week to quell anti-government protests and strikes.