Ethiopian Prime Minster Meles Zenawi said Wednesday the cooperation between Ethiopia and the Czech Republic should focus on boosting economic ties and trade exchanges.

During talks with Czech Deputy Prime Minister Jiri Cunek, Meles said the Ethio-Czech bilateral relations should be further strengthened in the economic arena.

He reaffirmed that the government of Ethiopia is keen to cement the age-long bilateral relations with the Czech Republic.

Ethiopia is ready to draw the rich experience of the Czech Republic, especially in the fields of textile, leather and technology transformation, said Meles.

Cunek, who arrived here late Tuesday to pay a three-day official visit to Ethiopia, said the Czech Republic is enthusiastic to see direct air flights between the two countries.

Briefing journalists after the talks, Cunek said he held fruitful discussions with Meles on political, trade and other issues of common interest.

The discussions have laid a firm foundation for strengthening the bilateral cooperation, he said.