Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Monday he held a telephone conversation with U.S. President Joe Biden about current issues in Ethiopia, where the conflict has been raging in the northern region of Tigray since November 2020.

"We both agree there is great value in strengthening our cooperation through constructive engagement founded on mutual respect," Abiy said on Twitter, also mentioning that bilateral relations and regional matters had been discussed.

Biden also called for an end to hostilities and a negotiated resolution to the conflict during the conversation, according to a statement issued by the White House. 

The conflict that erupted in November 2020 in Ethiopia's northernmost Tigray region between forces loyal to the TPLF and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), has caused civilian casualties and suffering. 

(With input from agencies)