BY BACHA ZEWDIE
Ethiopia has been undertaking myriads of diplomatic activities during the past week with countries geographically near and far on various issues that concern Ethiopia and the countries. According to the information gained from the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, all the discussions shown friendly relations between Ethiopia and the respective countries along with commitments of both sides to sustain the smooth relation that ensures mutual benefit. Showcasing the rest, here are some of the diplomatic successes.
Ethiopia and the European Union conduct annual political consultation
Ethiopia and the European Union have conducted on Thursday (June 10) a dialogue as per Article 8 of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement signed between the European Union and the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States (“ACP countries”).
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, and EU Ambassador to Ethiopia H.E. Johan Borgstam led the discussion which covered economic and political issues of common concern.
At the onset, Minister Demeke appreciated the historic partnership between Ethiopia and the EU and noted that the political consultation was a fitting component of the strategic engagement between the two sides.
He also appreciated the commitments of the Team Europe Initiative for support of Africa’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Union’s financial and in-kind support to developing countries, including Ethiopia to help them fight the pandemic.
Speaking about cooperation on the economic front, the Deputy Prime Minister pledged to give due attention to bottlenecks to foreign investment in the country.
He also urged the EU’s support to the implementation of Ethiopia’s homegrown economic reform agenda which, according to him, needs serious commitment and participation of all stakeholders, including private businesses.
In their discussion about the overall situation in Tigray, the Deputy Prime Minister provided updates on the issue of Humanitarian access, withdrawal of Eritrean troops, and efforts to hold perpetrators of alleged Human Rights violations and atrocities accountable.
In this regard, he said an email notification is the only requirement to access the region and most parts of the region are now accessible where the government has created a conducive environment to speed up the delivery of food and non-food supplies to the needy people in the region.
In the areas where the safe movement of humanitarian cargos is strained, military escort has been taken as the right measure and last resort to get access and reach people who need support, he added.
Despite the improved access, the government is still the main player in addressing the needs of the majority of the people who need support, he said stressing the need to scale up support in this regard.
Regarding ongoing agricultural activities, he said the region cultivates up to 950,000 hectares apart from the mechanized farm, and approximately 70 percent of the land is cultivated with the government providing improved seeds and fertilizers so far.
However, the Deputy Prime Minister said to meet the demand for seeds and fertilizers in the region, the government needs urgent support to transport such products from ports to intended destinations.
Noting the encouraging investigations carried out by domestic independent institutions and the joint Ethiopia-UN initiative to investigate alleged atrocities in the region, Mr. Demeke informed the Ambassadors that more than 4,000 regional police officers participated in refresher training and are now on duty as part of an effort to return the region into normalcy.
Adding on this, the Deputy Prime Minister mentioned that the military justice system has so far investigated and brought to military courts 60 soldiers who have been suspected of committing rape or killed civilians.
In addition to the trials underway, he said three soldiers have already been convicted and sentenced for rape while one soldier has been convicted and sentenced for killing a civilian.
The investigation for Maikadra has been completed and the judicial process has begun at Federal Courts in Maikadra and Axum, he said adding that Investigation regarding Axum is being finalized.
The Deputy Prime Minister also addressed the concerns of the European Union over the presence of Eritrean troops in the region mentioning that the process of evacuating the troops has already begun as per the agreement between the two countries to withdraw troops phase by phase from the Ethiopian Territory.
Finally, in their discussion on the upcoming general elections, the Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the Government is committed to making sure that the upcoming election is one of a kind in the country’s political history given the various measures that have been taken, including freedom of association, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and various legal and structural reforms on matters related to electoral activities.
Article 8 Dialogue is conducted every year between the EU as a group and ACP countries individually as provided for in Article 8 of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement.
Embassy holds forum on Ethiopia and US investment opportunities
Embassy of Ethiopia in Washington DC hosted a virtual business forum on the theme of “The United States and Ethiopia Business and Investment Opportunities”.
The session was organized in collaboration with the Houston International Trade Center and Ethiopia’s Honorary Consul in Houston, Texas.
H.E Ambassador Fitsum Arega briefed the participants on the various business and investment opportunities for American companies.
He particularly mentioned Ethiopia’s wide-ranging economic reform and liberalization measures, the historic telecom liberalization initiative, and the ten-year national development plan that has been recently adopted.
Ambassador Fitsum also spoke about the abundant investment opportunities available for U.S. companies in various sectors in Ethiopia such as agriculture, manufacturing, tourism development, ICT, energy, and mining. He also stated the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting the private sector.
Ambassador Fitsum explained the all-around efforts undertaken by the government of Ethiopia in addressing the humanitarian and security issues in Tigray and other parts of the country.
Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Tibor Nagy, on his part, said that he is Ethio-optimist and expressed the importance of enhancing economic relations between Ethiopia and the United States.
He also mentioned his strong confidence that Ethiopia will come out of the current challenges and continue being a key economic and security ally to the United States.
H.E Ambassador Fitsum responded to questions raised by participants of the program. He also thanked Gezahegn Kebede, Ethiopia’s Honorary Consul in Houston, Texas, and others who contributed to the success of the event.
Ethiopian delegation led by Dr. Sileshi Bekele meets Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni
A delegation led by H.E Dr. Sileshi Bekele, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy of Ethiopia has paid a visit on Thursday (June 9) to the Republic of Uganda and discussed with H.E. President Yoweri Museveni.
Upon delivering the message of H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed to President Museveni, Dr. Seleshi briefed the President about key issues in Ethiopia, including the forthcoming general elections, the GERD, humanitarian and rehabilitation endeavors in Tigray Region and the Ethiopia-Sudan boundary dispute.
Following the briefing, President Museveni expressed his solidarity to Ethiopia on all of the topics of discussion.
The president further proposed to hold a summit in a form of a conference of the leaders of the Nile basin states in order to debate on contentious issues on the uses of the River so that the concerned ministers would be given guidance by the Heads of State and Government.
It is recalled that last week, an Ethiopian delegation led by H.E Dr. Seleshi Bekele had paid a visit to the Republic of South Sudan and the Republic of Rwanda to deliver messages of Prime Minister Abiy to the Presidents of the respective countries.
Ethiopia Djibouti ties are historic, robust, unstirred by external influences: President Ismail Omar Guelleh
A delegation of senior officials led by Ethiopia’s Finance Minister Ahmed Shide comprising Army Chief of Staff General Berhanu Jula and Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Service, Temesgen Tiruneh, met and held talks with President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti on current regional and bilateral relations.
During the meeting, it was noted that the strategic relationship between the two countries is historical, robust, and unstirred by any foreign influence. It is also stated that these strategic ties are further cemented by the symbolic people-to-people relationships.
The delegation briefed the President on the current situation in Ethiopia and underscored that the government has continued its commitments to ensure peace and tranquility in the country by overcoming both internal and external pressures.
It was noted that in the northern part of the country, especially in the Tigray State, much has been done to ensure peace and security of the people, strengthen humanitarian assistance and resume regular education and essential activities like farming.
President Ismail Omar Guelleh on his part noted that the relationship between Ethiopia and Djibouti is stronger than ever and commended the Ethiopian government’s efforts to resolve its internal problems.
Recalling the intertwined ties between the two countries, the President said that the crisis in one country affects the other too.
