British FM welcomes Ethiopian policy on trafficking

By Abebech Tamene

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) - The U.K. foreign secretary praised Wednesday Ethiopia’s efforts to curb human trafficking.

Speaking in Addis Ababa during a two-day visit, Philip Hammond said: “Ethiopia’s move to draft laws enabling to prevent illegal human trafficking and take measures against 200 illegal human traffickers is a good move.”

Hammond called for further measures to tackle the flow of refugees and migrants to Europe.

He added that Britain would continue to support Ethiopia in its efforts to maintain peace and security in east Africa.

Speaking alongside Hammond at a news conference, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom said poverty was the main cause of migration and welcomed the U.K’s annual 300 million pound ($432.5 million) aid to his country.