With its recent peaceful transition of power demonstrating stability and democratic maturity, Ethiopia is now in a situation "very conducive" to deepening bilateral relations in trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchange, Ethiopian Ambassador Mahdi Ahmed Gadid said Tuesday.

Mahdi Ahmed Gadid

By concluding an evaluation of the country's policies over the past decade, Ethiopia's four-party coalition has "started a serious commitment to fight poverty, the No. 1 enemy of the country," Gadid said during a visit to The Japan Times.

Gadid noted that the transition of power from former President Negasso Gidada to new President Girma Wolde Giorgis took place on Oct. 8 and that the confirmation of Prime Minister Meles Zenawai's new Cabinet on Oct. 16 was carried out in a "peaceful and civilized manner" in parliament.

The Nov. 10 concert by Japanese pianist Tadamitsu Saito, in which Ethiopia's heritage will be shown on big screens in Addis Ababa Square before an audience of 20,000 people for broadcast on Japanese TV, will be a significant event, the ambassador said.

Touching on Ethiopia's relations with neighboring Eritrea, Gadid said that his country will accept arbitration by the United Nations on territorial demarcation and war compensation.