COMPILED BY HIZKEL HAILU
Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen met with his Russian counter Sergei Lavrov.
During the meeting in Moscow Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the Deputy Prime Minister vowed to deepen the bilateral relation of the two countries.
Demeke Mekonen said efforts are underway to rehabilitate law enforcement in the Tigray region, provide unlimited humanitarian assistance, facilitate access to humanitarians, and investigate allegations of human rights abuses and bring perpetrators before justice.
Regarding the general elections, he said it was conducted in a peaceful manner and the results of the counting will be made public according to the program of NEBE adding that Ethiopia would continue to adhere to the African Union (AU) led negotiating process about the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
The two sides also talked about the Ethiopia-Sudan border dispute where the Deputy Prime Minister said Sudan’s use of the situation in the Tigray region as an opportunity to encroach into Ethiopian territory was not only illegal but also an immoral act that failed to reflect the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
According to Demeke, the Ethiopian people and government appreciate Russia’s continued support and commitment to Ethiopia’s sovereignty adding that Ethiopia is confident that this support would continue.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on his part, said the steps taken by the federal government of Ethiopia in handling the situation in the Tigray regional state, including its commendable humanitarian assistance efforts are testaments to the moral and political competence of the government.
He noted that Russia’s participation in the Sixth National Elections as an observer was reflective of the long and historical relationship between the two countries adding that, his country is satisfied with the peaceful conclusion of the election.
He said Russia believes that the ongoing negotiations under the auspices of the African Union (AU) regarding the Renaissance Dam should be strengthened and Russia is interested in providing the necessary technical support.
He also lauded Ethiopia’s approach to peacefully resolving the border dispute with Sudan and resolving problems through diplomacy.
Mentioning that Russia does not support any intervention in Ethiopia’s internal affairs, Sergei Lavrov appreciated Ethiopia’s stance for being ready to host the Africa-Russia Forum in Addis Ababa next year.
They stressed the need to expedite the implementation of agreements that have been reached so far and called for the speedy signing of agreements in other areas that the two countries have agreed to expand engagements.
Ambassador Abdulfatah Abdullahi paid a working visit to the Federal Member Sate of Punt land.
Ethiopian Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Somalia H.E. Abdulfatah Abdullahi met with Punt land President H.E. Seid Denni during his working visit to the Federal Member Sate of Punt land.
On his stay in Punt land, he met with Punt land President H.E. Seid Denni and other officials. During the meeting, they discussed about the implementation of the FGS-FMS agreement which was signed on 27th May 2021.
According to their discussion, the steps have been taken to ensure peace in Somalia and the region, as well as ways to strengthen people-to-people and trade relations between Somalia and Ethiopia.
State Minister Ambassador Birtukan Ayano briefed IGAD Council of Ministers regarding the sixth General Election On its 72nd extraordinary meeting, IGAD Council of Ministers appreciates the peacefully held general elections in Ethiopia. State Minister Ambassador Birtukan Ayano has also briefed the council that the 6th national election in Ethiopia ended peacefully.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Council of Ministers has held its 72nd extraordinary meeting virtually on June 24 chaired by the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sudan, H.E. Mariam al-Sadiq al-Mahdi.
Djibouti, Somalia, Uganda and South Sudan were represented by their foreign ministers, while H.E. State Minister Ambassador Birtukan Ayano and the Chief Administrative Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, Hon. Ababu Muwamba represented their respective countries.
Opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Workeneh Gebeyehu, who praised the peaceful elections held in Ethiopia, Uganda and Djibouti.
He further spoke about the COVID-19 challenges and the need for internal and external conflicts to be resolved through dialogue, the challenges of refugees and internally displaced persons, and the promising peace process in South Sudan and Somalia.
In her opening remarks, Mariam al-Sadiq al-Mahdi praised Ethiopia, Uganda, and Djibouti for peacefully conducting their elections.
She further noted that the peace process in Somalia and South Sudan is on the right track and commended the improved diplomatic relations between Somalia and Kenya.
State Minister Ambassador Birtukan Ayano, on her part, said the 6th national election in Ethiopia ended peacefully with the participation of nearly 40 million voters and thanked member countries and institutions for their support in this regard.
Commending Somali political forces for resolving electoral disputes through dialogue, the state Minister said, “Ethiopia is committed to supporting stability and peace in Somalia”.
State Minister Birtukan has also commended the diplomatic rapprochement between Kenya and Somalia and the improved security situation in South Sudan.
She also called on member states to continue working together to increase access to vaccines for the COVID-19 pandemic.
The meeting ended in a constructive manner where all the speakers praised the electoral process in Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Uganda, and gave due attention to outstanding issues of member states that were held as agenda items.
The AU Election Observation Mission in Ethiopia concludes that despite some operational, logistical, security, political and COVID-19 related challenges, overall, the pre-election and Election Day processes were conducted in an orderly, peaceful and credible manner.
Ambassador Nebil Mahadi meets Vice President James Wani Ambassador Nebil met with South Sudan’s vice president H.E. James Wani Igga (Ph.D.) and exchanged views of common interest.
During the meeting, the Ambassador underscored the need to further strengthen the two Nations’ long-standing historical relations by investing in grand projects that aimed at taping their respective potentials.
He also emphasized the need for redoubling efforts to realize the plans of building highways and electric power transmission grids that connect the two countries.
The successful conclusion of the election, the ambassador expressed, make Ethiopia and Ethiopians win than the competing parties themselves.
He further briefed the vice president about Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Project of planting one billion trees in the neighboring countries including South Sudan.
H.E. James Wani Igga, on his part, recalled the fact that many Ethiopian soldiers are fallen alongside their South Sudanese brothers during the wars of liberation. Likewise, he said, “Ethiopia’s long-standing commitment and support for the people of South Sudan will be remembered forever.”
The vice president also highlighted the need for revitalizing the existing bilateral agreements to the full utilization of the two sisterly nations.
Regarding the GERD, the vice president underscored that the dam will be expected to provide electricity for the entire region including South Sudan.
Emphasizing the need for an amicable solution to the Ethiopia-Sudan border dispute, he congratulated the people of Ethiopia for conducting a very peaceful election.
Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye hold talks with Indian, Turkish counterparts Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye held talks with Indian and Turkish Ambassadors to Djibouti, Ashok Kumar and Salim Levent Sahinkaya on the growing bilateral ties with the countries as well as on the current developments in Ethiopia.
Ambassador Berhanu, recalling Ethiopia’s historical ties with India and Turkey, stressed the need to further strengthen the ties to best garner opportunities rendered by the ongoing reforms by the government.
During the discussions, Ambassador Berhanu also briefed his counterparts about the current situations in Ethiopia, among others, the government’s unremitting efforts to hone the capacity of institutions to best and timely address challenges in Tigray Region.
The Ambassador recalling the high turn-out of the voters during the day of the Ethiopia’s election, added “the election was free, fair and peaceful” as it was reiterated by observers and the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia.
Speaking about the GERD, Ambassador Berhanu, underlined that Ethiopia would continue to adhere to the African Union (AU) led negotiating process.
The Ethiopian Herald June 27/2021
