ADDIS ABABA–Commending Ethiopia’s economic growth registered over the past few years, Russian Ambassador to Ethiopia Evgeny Terekhin expressed his country’s commitment for stronger economic cooperation.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Ambassador of Russia to Ethiopia, Evgeny Terekhin, said that Ethiopia and Russia have excellent bilateral relations in different spheres and working to further elevate the existing ties in diverse areas.
The two nations have enjoyed long-standing diplomatic relations for over 126 years which is a testimony of strong and solid bilateral relations over the past years. The countries have strong interests to further bolster the existing economic ties, the Ambassador expressed.
As Ethiopia continues implementing its economic reforms over the past years coupled with its vast population, the nation is set to be engines of Africa’s economic growth, he noted. “Our political and economic cooperation should be strongly assisted by various means of cooperation which is instrumental to drive the bilateral ties.”
Ethiopia’s favorable business environment has drawn significant foreign direct investment from around the world and Russian firms are also injecting their capital and participating in various investment areas, Terekh in said, adding that investors from his country are exploring potentials to engage in different sectors.
He added that Ethiopia has achieved steady economic growth over the past years, and the government is implementing wider range of reforms that show promising results.
Ethiopia’s strategic position in Africa, coupled with fast economic growth and its inclusion in the BRICS block will further strengthen the existing ties. Similarly, the leaders of the two countries have met twice this year alone and discussed on strengthening the bilateral relations, which demonstrates both nations’ commitment to elevating their partnership, according to the ambassador.
At the 16th BRICS Summit, held from October 22 to 24, 2024, in Kazan, Russia, the leaders of the two countries agreed and expressed their commitment to further elevate ties using BRICS as a crucial platform for emerging economies to assert their influence in a rapidly changing world, Terekh in stated.
Accordingly, the entry of Ethiopia into the BRICS is another milestone for Ethiopia as it helps the east African nation to further bolster the long-standing diplomatic relations with Russia to the highest level of cooperation, he said.
It is worth noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin has hailed Ethiopia’s inclusion into the BRICS family, citing long-standing diplomatic ties dating back more than a century, and called Ethiopia’s integration into the group an important step. Members of the BRICS group have shown determination to achieve their vision of a multipolar world, amplifying the voices of the marginalized Global South.
BY HAILE DEMEKE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2024
