BY DANIEL ALEMAYEHU
In the present climate, the struggle for the power of the world has become the core objective for the super-power countries. In this regard, taking political and social advantages of Africa seems to be the fundamental strategy for the world’s super-power countries. That is why countries are organizing different summits so as to strengthen their partnership with the continent endowed with untapped resources.
It is better to go back and visit the museum of the past to get an adequate picture of how the world interacted with the African continent. Africa experienced the worst history ever in its earlier days as colonialists committed crimes against the people of the continent. Even after African countries secured their freedom from the shackles of slavery, the continent is still relying on the rest of the continents because of globalization and other political, economic, and social factors.
It is true that the powerhouse countries especially the United States of America, China and Russia organize and formulate their own summits to entertain and strengthen mutual benefits with African countries. Lately, Africa has gotten involved in Russia-Africa Summit which was first held in Sochi in 2019. The summit and economic forum has the intention of promoting mutual benefits with African countries.
Ethiopian and Russia have a long lasting history dating back to even when Russian Federation used to be the Soviet Union. The two aged countries have been working on tightening their mutual benefits throughout their relationships. As Russia is one of the most powerful countries in the world, the country took a stance in favor of Ethiopia protecting the nation from unwanted sanctions in several scenarios. Besides, Russia was one of the five nations which refused the second invasion of Italy. Ethiopians could not forget when Russia stood with the Government of Ethiopia when the Somalia Government launched an offense against Ethiopia in 1977.
In the recent past, Russia showed its firm alliance with Ethiopia. When war burst in the northern part of Ethiopia, a number of foreign countries had interest to interfere in the issue just to address their secret agenda behind the curtain. At that time, the Russian Government took the stance with the Federal Government of Ethiopia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also stated that the conflict was an internal affair of a sovereign nation, Ethiopia.
Recently, the 8th Ethio-Russia Intergovernmental Commission meeting was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting aimed at enhancing trade, investment, scientific, and technical cooperation as well as advancing and transforming the people-to-people relations of the two countries. Like in the old days, the two countries are dealing with their business based on their historical traditions of mutual respect and trust. The Chairman said, “We are keen to further deepen our comprehensive cooperation in trade and economic, scientific and technical, educational, cultural, and humanitarian spheres.”
In various reports, Ethiopia is on the fast track to registering economic growth. It is said that the country stood on the frontier in building a better economy. Ambassador Terekhin also supported the above idea. “In recent years, Ethiopia has shown steady economic growth. Thanks to the economic and political reforms carried out by the country’s authorities, improvement of a legal framework, and introduction of best practices, there have been positive changes in the business climate of the country,” the Ambassador noted.
The African continent is rich with untapped resources, and so is Ethiopia. In this regard, Ambassador Terekhin highlighted that both Russian and Ethiopian business persons have not yet known the opportunities though the potential of bilateral trade and economic ties between the countries are at their peak.
By the same token, Ethio-Russia Intergovernmental Commission Co-Chairman and Innovation and Technology Minister Belete Molla added, “The people-to-people relation and strong ties between Russia and Ethiopia are bound by the similarity of values, including the commitment to our sovereignty.”
The co-chairman further pinpointed that the two countries are enjoying the best bilateral friendship and partnership, but the level and volume of trade and investment between the countries are much less than expected. “The two countries have tremendous potential for trade and investment cooperation. It is then the right time to convert opportunities to realities,” Belete explained.
Currently, Ethiopia is practicing the Home Grown Economic Policy along with many more reforms, and those steps and decisions have led the nation to economic transformation. Therefore, the country is on the right track to achieve the intended target of building a sustainable and green economy. Russian investors are very much welcome to take part in the nation’s development endeavors, added the co-chairman.
The minister further explained that the nation has untapped potential in the manufacturing, mining, energy, agriculture, and pharmaceutical sectors. These sectors have the capacity to provide adequate opportunities for Russian businesses. Belete has also mentioned the history-long relationship between the countries and the firm stance that the Russian Federation took when Ethiopia was in need, especially in maintaining Ethiopia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “Ethiopia highly appreciates Russia’s strong position and support, especially the support during the last two years in the UNSC meetings on Ethiopia is unforgettable.”
Similarly, Russia’s Head of Federal Agency on Mineral Resources Eugeny Petrov on his part said that, Ethiopia remains one of Russia’s most important partners in Africa and intends to increase the bilateral trade in volume and quality. “We have the resources; we have an understanding of its consumption in the medium term. Let us form new high-margin markets. And we are ready to share our experience and technology, and organize training of professional personnel,” he added.
Petrov also disclosed that, the Russian Federation is ready to share the technology, knowledge and experiences it has in various areas with Ethiopia. Such intergovernmental commission meeting has the potential to enable both countries to strengthen their intention of working together in various endeavors.
Petrov also highlighted that we observe vast demands in various areas, especially in the field of machinery technology and the management of mineral resources. Hence, we are ready to share our experience, knowledge, and technologies. Now a day, the world market is changing rapidly, and these areas will pave the way to success for both countries.
Boiling down to its historic form, history taught us that Russia helped Ethiopia during the Battle of Adwa by sending its Red Cross Society to help Ethiopian Soldiers. Likewise, a short time ago, Russian Federation agreed to work with the government of Ethiopia in the health sector coupled with the 8th Ethio- Russia Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC). To see words in action, the Russia Red Cross Society pledges to send 16 medical doctors to Ethiopia with the intention of enhancing the nation’s health service delivery.
Speaking at the event, Ethiopian Red Cross Society President Abera Tola reaffirms that the two nations have plenty of areas to work together. Advancing the mobilization of volunteers and increasing members coupled with providing capacity-building programs are the areas that the two countries can exert their efforts on.
Likewise, Russian Red Cross President Pavel Savchuk (MD) on his part said that, the society is ready to support the medical sector of Ethiopia by sending about 16 doctors. The memorandum of understanding agreement enables to boost the capacity of Dejach Balcha Hospital in Addis Ababa for the next twenty-five years.
“We are ready to send 16 qualified doctors within two months to support and share the experience with Ethiopian counterparts apart from the medical support they will give here. It is an important step for us to further the two countries’ already in good shape relationships in the health sector,” said Pavel.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 13 DECEMBER 2022
