ADDIS ABABA – The country has registered fruitful diplomatic outcomes and ensured national interests in the just ended Ethiopian fiscal year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said.
Ethiopia has registered remarkable diplomatic outcomes and ensured its national interest in the just ended fiscal year, the ministry stated in its annual report mentioning 12 agreements the country has signed with the neighboring countries in various sectors such as education, tourism, economy and infrastructure.
In general, over 140 agreements were signed on national interest issues, bilateral and multilateral relationships in that year, it said.
Several joint meetings, including leaders’ summits, ministerial forums, and high-level meetings, were held in Ethiopia. About 29 African leaders and high officials visited Ethiopia for bilateral purposes, the report mentioned.
In strengthening its international presence, the ministry expressed that Ethiopia participated in 501 international discussions and bilateral events. About 195 international diplomatic decisions, compliant with Ethiopia’s stance, were passed, it noted.
Under the frameworks of the African Union and the United Nations, Ethiopia’s diplomatic journey was also successful. The report elaborated that the Pretoria peace agreement received acclamations from international organizations and Ethiopia has gained 1,000,000 USD for the disarmament in the north part of the country based on Pretoria Agreement.
The number of visits that have been paid to the country have increased the bilateral and multilateral relationships in the aforementioned period. Some 44 high level meetings were carried out in the just ended period. For instance, a delegation led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was traveled to China, Tanzania, German, Russia, and the likes whilst discussed with various issues in the past year, according to MoFA.
Furthermore, Ethiopia has marked a series of significant diplomatic achievements over the past fiscal year in which key areas of progress include neighborhood diplomacy, BRICS membership, setting agenda on the sea access, migrant repatriation, multilateral and bilateral diplomacy, and foreign direct investment, the report indicated.
It also motioned that international funders have been supporting Ethiopia’s developmental and humanitarian missions. For example, the European Union donated 35 million euros for green energy development while a debt relief was succeeded following the strong diplomatic effort.
The governments of the United States and the Netherlands have also shown their support for demobilization, disarmament, rehabilitation, and agricultural programs, respectively. The international community believed on the legitimacy of accessing sea port because of strong diplomatic works, the ministry stated.
MoFA also highlighted the registration of three Ethiopian intangible heritages by UNESCO as a great diplomatic success in tourism.
Ethiopia’s membership in BRICS is another notable achievement. Amid regional challenges and global geopolitical shifts, Ethiopia’s diplomatic mission has successfully navigated complex negotiations, secured critical partnerships, and advanced national interests on the global stage, it added.
In terms of investment, over 395 investors have accessed the necessary support and supervision last year. Similarly, 69 tourism promotions were carried out aimed at alluring international attention through diplomatic attempts, according to the ministry.
BY MESERERET BEHAILU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2024
