LOC20:19
17:19 GMT
CAIRO, Jan 23 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Tuesday providing USD 400 million from the American additional funding to support combating "terrorism" in Cote d'Ivoire.
This came during a news conference Blinken held with Cأ´te d'Ivoire's President Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, as part of the former's African tour, which began in Cape Verde and also includes Nigeria and Angola, the Middle East News Agency (MENA) reported.
Blinken stressed his country's commitments to increasing partnerships with the African Continent, mainly Cote d'Ivoire, which has deep-rooted ties with Washington, it noted.
Blinken further voiced his country's desire to raise investment in health and environment domains in Cote' d'Ivoire, which has made economic progress in difficult conditions.
He pointed out that his talks with officials in Cote d'Ivoire addressed a number of issues on bilateral and global levels, indicating that his visit to African countries stresses that the future and prosperity of peoples is a common matter.
Meanwhile, Ouattara denunciated the Israeli occupation aggression on the Gaza Strip, hoping that peace would prevail sooner to enable Palestinians to have an independent state.
He also affirmed keenness on enhancing partnership with the US, expressing appreciation to Washington for its support to his country in all fields mainly in security and digital development.
Ouattara added that he discussed with Blinken the issues of the African continent and the need to achieve security, especially after the coups occurred in countries neighboring his country.
He called on those countries to move forward in creating a democratic system and improving the lives of their people. (end)
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