Ethiopia's support for AU will continue

Addis Ababa- Ethiopia (PANA) -- Ethiopia is committed to the ideals and principles of the African Union (AU) just as it was with the former Organisation of African Unity (OAU), said the country's Information Ministry Tuesday.
The country's hosting of the AU head office, the ministry said in statement, showed that African countries had confidence and hope in Ethiopia to do everything possible to promote the AU's goals.
In this regard, it added, Ethiopians and their government were ready to carry out the heavy responsibilities entrusted to them as hosts to the satisfaction of all African countries.
The statement was issued a day after Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi visited the AU's new conference hall, which is under construction at a cost of 1.
2 million US dollars.
The Commission of the African Union's interim chair, Amara Essy, told Meles that the overall staff of the Union would be increased from 400 to 800 people to handle additional workloads.