The Spanish government would continue providing assistance to Ethiopia in support of bringing about sustainable development and ensuring democratic system in the country, a senior Spanish official said here Friday.

After talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Rafael Dezcallar de Mazarredo, secretary general of foreign policy with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told journalists his government has already decided that Ethiopia should be one of the development partners of Spain.

Dezcallar said the governments of the respective countries have already reached an agreement on the agenda of development cooperation and that it would be signed soon.

Spain and Ethiopia had already signed memorandum of understanding on cooperation and continuous dialogue in the political sector during the previous year, he said, adding that today's discussion was part of the agreement.

Spain and Ethiopia have reached to a stage that enables the two countries sign cooperation agreement on education, health, cultural and other sectors, he said.

Dezcallar and his delegation is in Ethiopia for a working visit.

Source: Xinhua