ADDIS ABABA – Whether there is external influence or not, Ethiopia will always adhere to legal procedures to secure its interest, says Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ministry Spokesperson Nebiat Getachew told journalists yesterday that the negotiations on GERD that took place in Washington DC has ended with no deal.
Nebiat said that Ethiopia will never sign on an agreement that harms its national interest. “Whether there is any influence from different sides or not, Ethiopia will follow legal procedures in assuring its interest,” he reaffirmed.
Nebiat further disclosed that US Secretary of State for African Affairs will arrive in Ethiopia on 17 February for a three day visit. “He will discuss with Ethiopian officials focusing on the regional security and support to Ethiopia’s historic political and economic reform agenda besides the bilateral relations”, Nebiat says.
Concerning the governments endeavor in citizen’s diplomacy Nebiat noted that consulates and Embassy at Beijing are supporting more than 300 Ethiopian students to protect themselves from Corona virus.
He further stated that, 128 Ethiopian prisoners from various prisons in Tanzania have returned home over the week.
Moreover, the spokesperson affirms that Ethiopia has presented different candidates for two continental and two international organizations.
Accordingly, Ethiopia has been selected as AU’s Peace and Security Council Member along with Djibouti. Also Ambassador Konjit Sinegeorgis from Ethiopia has been selected as a member of AU Panel of Eminent African Personality on behalf of East Africa.
Apart from these, AU Ministerial Committee on candidatures has delegated Emiru Tamirat for United Nations Human Rights Committee for 2021-2024 and Dr. Biniam Dawit Mezmur for United Nations Child Rights Committee for the year 2021-2025 as African candidates, Nebiat disclosed.
The Ethiopian Herald February 14/2020
BY HIZKEL HAILU
