BY STAFF REPORTER
Her Excellency Ms. Valentina Matvienko, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation has paid visit to Addis Ababa on February 18-20, 2025.
It is imperative that we fortify and enhance Russia-Ethiopia relations in both traditionaland contemporary domains – says the Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko who is arriving in the country soon for an official visit
The primary objective of Valentina Matvienko’s upcoming visit to Ethiopia is to provide a catalyst for the augmentation of traditionally mutually beneficial and productive bilateral cooperation across a diverse spectrum of sectors.
“Our countries are connected by a rich history of mutually respectful relations. Ethiopia was the first African capital with which Russia established diplomatic relations. Since then, they have only developed and strengthened, and I see our main task in supporting the growth of these endeavors in all areas,” the Speaker said to The Ethiopian Herald.
Valentina Matvienko has expressed confidence that her visit will be productive. To this end, she will be accompanied by a highly representative delegation.
“It is widely acknowledged that the Ethiopian people hold the profound memory and reverence for the substantial and highly significant Soviet legacy. With the invaluable assistance of the former USSR, numerous major infrastructure projects were established, including industrial enterprises, energy facilities, and engaging in active military and technical cooperation,” Ms. Matvienko added.
According to Valentina Matvienko, the cornerstone of success for this visit lies in the rich history of bilateral relations and the enduring support provided to Ethiopia by our country for numerous decades. The shared cultural heritage of our peoples plays a pivotal role in fostering the development of relations between these two distinct cultures. Both Ethiopians and Russians predominantly adhere to Orthodox Christianity, with Islam holding the second most significant following.
The admission of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia into the BRICS family during the year of the Russian presidency further solidifies Addis Ababa’s position as a prominent actor on the contemporary global arena, a strong and influential partner in both multilateral and bilateral endeavors.
Both capitals anticipate that this historic visit will serve as the foundation for the establishment of numerous forthcoming promising projects that will be mutually beneficial to the people of both nations.
