Ethiopia, Israel vows to further strengthen their relation
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) tlked to Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett this week on bilateral and multilateral issues. The two leaders vowed to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
“I am pleased to have talked to Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on bilateral and multilateral issues. We have vowed to further strengthen cooperation between our two countries,” Abiy Ahmed tweeted on his official tweeter account.
Similarly, the Primier also discussed with South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir about the current situation in Ethiopia, further strengthening the two countries attachment and other issues.
On their discussion, Kirr appreciated the Ethiopian government’s efforts and measures to safeguard constitutional order and condemned the terrorist TPLF attacks against the Northern Command of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF).
Highlighting the importance of non-interference by external parties in Ethiopia’s domestic issues Kiir has appreciated the Ethiopian government’s efforts in ensuring peace and stability prevails in the world’s youngest nation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Demeke Mekonnen exchanges a phone call with External Affairs Minister of India S. JAISHANKAR
Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia has exchanged a phone call this week with Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India.
The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the government of India for supporting Ethiopia’s cause during the UN Security Council meeting on Ethiopia by refusing pressures to intervene in Ethiopia’s internal affairs.
Lauding India’s support to the African Union-led negotiation over the GERD, Demeke called on India to reject Tunisia’s draft resolution that is submitted to the UN Security Council contrary to the tripartite agreement to solve matters according to the provisions of the Declaration of Principles (DOP).
The Deputy Prime Minister also called on India to condemn the terrorist TPLF following his briefing on the TPLF’s criminal activities, its invasion of neighboring regions, and employment of child soldiers with absolute disregard to the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire that was announced by the government.
Dr. S. Jaishankar said India supported Ethiopia during the Security Council meeting yesterday being confident that Ethiopia is capable of handling its internal affairs without external interference.
Regarding the GERD issue, he said it is appropriate for the tripartite to address their differences through dialogue and the principle of African solutions to African problems.
The two sides concluded their discussion underscoring the importance of strengthening the relationship between Ethiopia and India through expanded engagements.
Similarly, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen has conversed over the phone with State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi
Demeke Mekonnen has discussed over the phone with the Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi the current situation in the Tigray region, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), and cooperation on economic engagements.
At the onset, the Deputy Prime Minister commended the fruitful Ethiopia-China strategic partnership that enhances cooperation in multidimensional ways.
In speaking about the situation in Tigray, Demeke said the terrorist group is escalating the conflict by invading the neighboring Amhara and Afar regions.
The unwarranted invasion has left many civilians dead and displaced, as well as destroyed private and government-owned property, he said urging the Government of China to call on the international community to condemn the terrorist act.
In this regard, Mr. Wang Yi underscored that the TPLF should refrain from invading neighboring regions and abides by the humanitarian ceasefire that was declared by the Government of Ethiopia.
He said China believes that the Government of Ethiopia can handle its internal affairs adding that China rejects undue interference in the internal affairs of Ethiopia under the guise of humanitarian concern.
In their discussion about the GERD, the Deputy Prime Minister said Tunisia’s attempt to submit a bipartisan resolution to the Security Council is unacceptable and expressed his confidence that China would continue to support the AU-led process over the matter.
In this regard, Wang Yi reiterated his country’s unflinching commitment to supporting the African Union Framework to handle the GERD file.
The two sides also talked about Ethiopia’s homegrown economic reform, where Demeke called on China to support Ethiopia’s quest to
be considered in the Debt Service Suspension Initiative under Common Framework for Debt Treatments of the G- 20 countries.
Wang Yi said China, as a member of the G-20, would continue its support in making Ethiopia one of the beneficiaries of the Common Framework for Debt Treatment.
The two sides also discussed the need for further cooperation in the fight against COVID-19 where Demeke commended the continued Chinese support in this regard.
They also underscored that COVID-19 origin tracing should not be politicized but the matter should be handled following scientific procedures.
Embassy, mobilizes more than USD 1.1 million for GERD
Ethiopian embassy in Washington disclosed that the Embassy along with BADR Ethiopia and Ustaz Jemal Bashir has mobilized USD 1,110,000 through the “Go Fund Me” account by the last two months.
Being thankful for BADR Ethiopia and Ustaz Jemal Bashir for coordinating Ethiopian diaspora GERD fundraiser with the Embassy, Ethiopian Ambassador to the USA, Fitsum Arega announced that the fund was raised in less than 2 months.
He also applauds all the participants for their generous and patriotic donations saying that “Your gift will help light up Ethiopia”! He also avowed this Go Fund Me account has achieved its goal and is now closed. It was learned that other ways of donation have been provided.
The Ethiopian Herald August 29/2021
