BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia has a firm belief in the execution of foreign relations which is unbounded by ideological orientation, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs adding that the relations is geared towards building robust political and business relations with the Western and Eastern worlds.
Speaking to The Ethiopian Herald, MoFA Spokesperson Ambassador Dina Mufti stated that while giving due priority to Africa, Ethiopia’s foreign policy is based on the principles of mutual respect and noninterference in dealing with countries from different ideological camps.
Citing the warm relations Ethiopia has enjoyed with China as an example to others, the spokesperson noted that the former wants to replicate this strong cooperation with the West. “We wish we could have the same relations with the West as all are our partners.”
About EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell’s recent remarks about Ethiopia, Dina highlighted that there is no valid objective for the EU and anybody else to put sanctions on Ethiopia. “Ethiopia is a friend with all countries in the West and there is no reason to impose sanctions.”
“We can manage domestic situations by own capacity. Ethiopia has the wisdom and capacity of doing this and it should be left alone. If a country is willing to help Ethiopia, it should do the same in a way that Ethiopia likes it to be. It is wrong to make it a sort of imperialistic notion of imposing one’s will on sovereign nations including Ethiopia. This is a non-starter.”
Meanwhile, Dina expressed optimism that the future is bright for the Horn of Africa and there are untapped opportunities member states could utilize under the umbrella of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). “The Horn countries should come closer, help one another and stand together to address any challenge that each member may face.”
Responding to Ethiopia’s alleged silence to the U.S. unwarranted and continuous pressures, the diplomat stressed that whatever pressure is being exerted by any country on Ethiopia, it is not acceptable. Ethiopia has made clear to the rest of the world including the U.S. government to use the formal diplomatic channels to communicate their concerns.
“There is always interaction and expressions of concerns and that have to be continued. Whenever any country, be it the U.S. or others, wants to express concerns, it should be carried out in accordance with the principles of international relations.
Clarifying about why the Biden Administration is working against Ethiopia’s democratically elected government; he indicated that even some U.S. officials realized their government has pursued the wrong approach.
“We have a shared relationship with the U.S. and have worked together for the last 100 plus years. So, let us forge, strengthen our relations and look forward to further consolidation.”
The Ethiopian Herald December 18/2021
