Addis Ababa: Ethiopia's House of Peoples Representative Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs Standing Committee Deputy Chairman Fethi Mahdi said successful parliamentary diplomacy activities were carried out during the concluded 2016 fiscal year to protect the country's national interests. In an exclusive interview with ENA, House of Peoples Representative the Deputy Chairman said the parliamentary diplomacy activities have been conducted by engaging with diplomats, ambassadors, and parliamentary members from various countries. 'We confer with diplomats, ambassadors and members of parliaments of various countries here in Ethiopia and also in the respective countries. During the interactions, our members of the parliament highlight the interest of Ethiopia and its people.' These interactions effectively reflected Ethiopia's position and were conducted with thorough preparation to communicate the nation's interests and aspirations. Fethi emphasized that these diplomatic efforts successfully conveyed Ethiopia 's desire for development, peaceful coexistence, and collaboration with other nations. Deputy Chairperson of the Law and Justice Affairs Standing Committee in the House of People's Representatives Isa Boru, on his part said various discussions were held on issues crucial to regional peace. He noted that diplomatic activities were carried out to protect national interests and Ethiopia's sovereignty. Moga Ababulga, a member of the Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs Standing Committee in the House of People's Representatives, affirmed that the diplomatic activities conducted were centered on national interests.He pointed out that parliamentary diplomacy efforts helped clarify misconceptions and enabled other countries to gain a better understanding of Ethiopia's position on various matters. The MPs stressed that the parliamentary diplomacy activities carried out during the concluded 2016 fiscal year to protect the country's national interests. Source: Ethiopian News Agency