Premier welcomed President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed this week welcomed President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo and his delegation at his office. During the discussions, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reiterated that Ethiopia continues to be committed to African Solutions for African Problems and to an African Union-led process under the facilitation of the current Chair of the Union.
He further emphasized Ethiopia’s firm position that the GERD can be an icon of cooperation and mutual development among the downstream countries, with a commitment of no harm to both. Ethiopia affirms its desire for an agreement that works for all parties in accordance with the Declaration of Principles.
“Pleased to welcome my brother President Felix Tshisekedi to Ethiopia. I greatly appreciate the positive role he is playing in bringing about positive outcomes in GERD negotiations. Ethiopia remains committed to the African Union led process for an agreement that is desirable and works for all,” the premier stated on his Face book account.
H.E. Demeke Mekonnen meets with ICRC Interim head of delegation in Ethiopia Philippe Beauverd
H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia received at his office and held discussions this week with Mr. Philippe Beauverd, Interim Head of Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross to Ethiopia. Mr. Demeke appreciated ICRC for always being there on the ground to help civilians in Ethiopia during conflicts and natural disasters, such as drought and pandemics.
Mr. Beauverd, on his part, thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other pertinent government bodies for their dedication in facilitating support to ICRC’s various engagements in Ethiopia. He briefed the Deputy Prime Minister about the plans to significantly increase the budget of the organization to its activities in Ethiopia and related his experience in visiting prisoners and displaced people in some parts of the country.
He further elaborated the ongoing supports that the organization is extending to internally displaced people in various regional states in Ethiopia, particularly in Oromia, Benishangul Gumuz, and Tigray. He said he was satisfied with what ICRC has achieved in Tigray so far and explained some of the challenges encountered on the ground.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the government has continued to extend support to people in the region, mentioning the 2.7 million people who have received aid in the second round of humanitarian support. Being thankful for the reliable partners, such as the ICRC, he said the government is ready to ease up observed challenges on the ground, particularly in Tigray.
He said access to humanitarian support in the region showed significant improvement, although accessing some pocket areas may require a military escort. In this regard, Mr. Demeke said coordination between the civilian and military entities would be essential to achieve better results. ICRC has been providing humanitarian support for Ethiopia ever since it had the first footprint in the country in 1977.
Ambassador Alemayehu Tegenu briefs media in Russia on significant issues in Ethiopia
H.E. Ambassador Alemayehu Tegenu has made a press briefing to a group of Mass Media Outlets in his office this week.
His briefing covered a wide range of issues pertaining to the situations in the northern region of Tigray, the state of negotiation on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the Ethio-Sudan border issue, the Up-coming 6th Ethiopian General Elections, and the bilateral relations between Ethiopia and the Russian Federation.
With regard to the situation in Tigray region, he has mentioned the efforts of the Federal Government in bringing the security into normalcy and the region can be accessed now without problem to provide humanitarian aid/assistance.
He has also mentioned the activities of the government in the areas of supplying farm tools, seeds, fertilizers for the farmers, the provision of shelters to the internally displaced persons (IDPs), and making medicines available to the affected people in the region.
The Ambassador has also pointed out that the AU-led negotiation is the only way to solve the impasse on the GERD issue. As per the border dispute between Ethiopia and the Sudan, coming on the table to negotiate by using the existing mechanisms is the only way out to solve the problem. But, to start any negotiation the Sudanese military forces have to leave Ethiopian territory they have occupied by force and go back to where they were before November 2020.
Talking about the up-coming 6th General Elections in Ethiopia, he has said that the government has made a lot of efforts to make the election transparent, free, fair and democratic and the credibility and legitimacy of election in Ethiopia should not come from the outside observers, but the laws and institutions of the land and the people of Ethiopia themselves are the ones to do so.
Finally, he has touched on the bilateral issues by saying that Ethiopia and the Russian Federation have a long history of diplomatic relationship which is getting stronger at the moment than ever before.
After the press briefing of H. E. Alemayehu Tegenu, a cultural event was held in collaboration with Amicability Diplomatic Club in our Embassy where tradition dresses were shown.
Ambassador Yibeltal Aemero exchanges views with Finance Minister of Sudan
H.E Yibeltal Aemero, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the Republic of Sudan held discussions with H.E. Dr. Gibril Ibrahim Mohamed, Minister of Finance and Economic Development of the Republic of Sudan on issues of common interest.
Ambassador Yibeltal Aemero stressed that Ethiopia supports and follows positive developments in Sudan with keen interest and underscored the need to overcome current and temporary challenges through negotiation by taking into account the longstanding historic and fraternal relations between Ethiopia and Sudan.
H.E Dr. Gibril Ibrahim on his part, mentioning the strong ties between the two countries, stated that any difference between them must be settled peacefully through direct negotiations. H.E the Minister also mentioned the need for avoiding unnecessary media statements.
Moreover, the two sides underlined the need to focus and exert all efforts towards economic cooperation between Ethiopia and Sudan as well as bringing about regional integration.
Ethiopian, Austrian Embassies agree to work on regional and multilateral issues
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Meles Alem paid a courtesy call on his Austrian counterpart, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Christian Fellner this week.
During the meeting, Ambassador Meles briefed Ambassador Dr. Fellner on the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the humanitarian operations and the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts of the Government of Ethiopia in the Tigray Region and the upcoming general elections.
The Ambassadors agreed to facilitate cooperation between Ethiopian and Austrian embassies to work on regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
BY HIZKEL HAILU
The Ethiopian Herald May 16/2021
