The Ethiopian Herald: How do you describe the longstanding Ethio-Russia’s relations?
Ambassador Yevgeny Terekhin: Russia and Ethiopia have longstanding historical ties going back to the 17-th century. Early contacts between Russia and Ethiopia include the visit of the Ethiopian delegation sent by the Emperor Menelik II to Russia and several visits of Russians to Ethiopia during Menelik’s reign. Thus, the diplomatic relations between Russia and Ethiopia were formally established in 1898. Last year we celebrated 120-the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries both in Russia and here in Ethiopia.
These contacts laid the foundation for close relations of the two countries based оn mutual respect and friendship of the two peoples. Regardless of the different political systems that existed at various times relations between our countries and peoples continued to be close and friendly. Russia has always stood with Ethiopia whenever the sovereignty of Ethiopia was threatened.
While the governments and political systems in both countries have gone through drastic changes, relations between them were placed on a different footing but remained warm and friendly. Nowadays we are looking with optimism at the future of our longstanding relations.
In recent years, there has been an increased exchange of visits between high level officials the two countries.
Regarding bilateral ties, the two countries established an Intergovernmental Commission responsible for facilitating economic, trade and scientific cooperation. Russia agreed to cooperate with Ethiopia in major projects such as energy, agriculture, transport infrastructure and others.
Herald: What do the current Ethio-Russia’s diplomatic relations look like?
Ambassador Yevgeny Terekhin: There have been an increased number of visits of high level officials between the two countries. They included former Prime Minister’s Meles Zenawi trip to Moscow in December 2001 and the then Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin in November 2007. The then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hailemariam Desalegn and the former Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Alemayehu Tegenu, who is presently the Ethiopian Ambassador to Russia,visited Russia in 2011. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited your country four times starting from 2006.Moreover, the Speakers of the Houses of the Ethiopian Parliament are about to take part in two international parliamentary conferences in Moscow this July.
Both Sides regularly discuss regional and global security issues, supporting each other’s position in the Security Council of the United Nations.
Herald: How do you assess the investment relations between Ethiopia and Russia?
Ambassador Yevgeny Terekhin: There are more than 30 Russian companies presently investing in different spheres in Ethiopia. Russians are not new to the Ethiopian oil exploration and mining sector. Russian manufacturing and energy companies show their keen interest to engage in these sectors. They also want to develop hydropower projects in Ethiopia. We view as promising such fields as rail road construction, pharmaceutical industry, tourism and others. Today Russian government is trying to encourage Russian investors to come to the country.
In its turn, Ethiopia exports agricultural products to Russia. The Ethiopian flower exporters have a direct access to the Russian floriculture market.
Herald: While visiting Ethiopia Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that Russia is willing to help Ethiopia to develop nuclear energy, what is the level of that project?
Ambassador Yevgeny Terekhin: On March 20, 2019, Ethiopia signed Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation with the Russian State Corporation “ROSATOM” with the aim to develop nuclear infrastructure in Ethiopia. In April 2019, Russia and Ethiopia signed a Road Map envisaging bilateral cooperation in the spheres of peaceful use of nuclear energy. Its fulfillment will help Ethiopia to use nuclear power as an alternative renewable energy source. In addition, your country will be able to use nuclear technologies in agriculture, health and manufacturing sector.
A general agreement on cooperation between the two countries in the sphere of nuclear energy use for peaceful
purposes is on the table of both Sides. A Nuclear Research Center based on the Russian design is planned for the construction on the Ethiopian territory in the nearest future.
Herald: What is the nature and significance of Ethio-Russia’s relations in producing skilled man power?
Ambassador Yevgeny Terekhin: Issues of Russian-Ethiopian cooperation in the humanitarian field are in the area of attention of the Embassy and the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Addis Ababa.
The tasks of developing Russian-Ethiopian cooperation in the scientific field are among our priorities. Ethiopian scientific circles highly appreciate the activities of the joint Russian-Ethiopian biological expedition, operating in the country since 1987 under the auspices of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Work is underway to develop cooperation with Ethiopia in the field of education. Over 20 thousand citizens of your country have received higher education in the universities of the USSR / Russia. Ethiopian citizens are currently being sent to study in Russia within a quota (about 30 places annually) of Russian state scholarships and on a contractual (paid) basis. The selection for study on a quota basis is carried out through the RCSC. We are proud that many Ethiopian graduates of Soviet / Russian universities make up the cultural and scientific elite of their homeland and occupy high governmental positions.
The development of inter-university relations has now become the subject of negotiations with the leadership of the Ethiopian departments and a number of local universities. The process of sending state scholars to specialized (postgraduate) forms of education in our country has been revived. The places for training in engineering, medical and natural sciences are the most popular among Ethiopian applicants. A separate quota has been allocated for the training of Ethiopian students in Russia in programs related to the peaceful use of atom.
Looking beyond the direct answer to your question, I would like to briefly touch on the topic of Russian-Ethiopian cultural cooperation. In this area, it is necessary to note the work of the Russian Center for Science and Culture, which is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its work in Ethiopia next year. Cultural and educational events are held periodically at the RCSC site (round tables, contests, exhibitions, concerts, film shows, literary evenings, etc.) dedicated to significant dates in Russian history and the work of prominent figures of science, culture and art.
A separate line in the intercultural dialogue with Ethiopia is the theme of the Great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, who is rightfully considered to be among Ethiopian compatriots. The Ethiopian public with interest takes part in annual contests of poetic reading in Russian and translations of Pushkin’s poems in the Amharic language attends exhibitions and film screenings dedicated to Pushkin’s works.
An important place is given to cooperation with the Ethiopian side in the field of support and popularization of musical art. The scene of the Russian cultural center has become a prestigious venue for competitive performances by Ethiopian musicians of various styles. The presentation of Russian musical art in Ethiopia also has success. The concerts are attended by the local public, representatives of the foreign diplomatic corps and graduates of Russian universities.
Herald: How do you see the commonalities of Ethio-Russia’s religious and cultural aspects?
Ambassador Yevgeny Terekhin: The proximity of the Christianity professed by a large part of the Ethiopian population with Russian Orthodoxy served as a solid basis for the rapprochement of our peoples. Interchurch contacts contributed to the establishment of sympathy and mutual understanding between the imperial houses of the two countries. The Russian research expeditions to Ethiopia (Abyssinia) that followed afterwards, led by A. Bulatovich and N. Gumilev, only confirmed the spiritual closeness of the Ethiopians with the Orthodox traditions of the Russian people. An eminent Soviet academician and biologist N. Vavilov who visited Ethiopia in 1920’s also noted friendly disposition of the local population in relation to Russia, based on Orthodox foundations.
It is worth noting that church contacts between the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) took place in the Soviet era, although they could not be made publicly available. The ROC actively assisted the sisterly EOC in training clergymen.
A new stage in relations between the two Orthodox churches was marked by a visit to Moscow by the Ethiopian Patriarch Abuna Paulos in 1996.
In January 2007, for the first time in many years, a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church led by the Archbishop of Lviv and Galician Augustine stayed in Ethiopia. The Russian delegation on behalf of the Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church contributed $ 5,000 to the fund for the construction of the new building of the Church music school of St. Yarida, presented gifts in the form of icons and church utensils. The parties agreed to hold a regular theological dialogue, designed to bring the kindred churches to a higher level of mutual understanding on matters of religion. One of the brightest projects was the exhibition of modern Russian iconography held in 2012 by the Russian Cultural Center. In 2012, Metropolitan Hilarion, head of the external relations department of the Russian Orthodox Church, visited Ethiopia. During the visit, the question was raised about the resumption of training of Ethiopian seminarists in Russian universities and colleges of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Herald: What is your take on the power competition among the powerful nation in the Horn?
Ambassador Yevgeny Terekhin: The Horn of Africa is indeed a strategic region both geographically and geopolitically, as it is overlooking an important maritime route from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean. It is also an evident link between Sub-Saharan Africa and the Arab world and an ancient crossroad between different cultures and regions. So, it is quite natural that it always stays in the focus of the global community and the permanent members of the UN Security Council, especially given the persistent instability on both sides of the Gulf of Aden. Hence, the efforts by many foreign players to extend their influence in the Horn both through military and economic presence are not surprising.
We strongly believe that international cooperation and assistance is much more essential to create secure and predictable environment in the Horn. It could obviously assist paving the way to unlocking the full economic potential of the region for the benefit of its peoples. The ongoing integration processes in the region and on the whole African continent can lead to increasingly intensive cooperation in numerous areas, but it would not be easy to provide this development successfully without global outreach. We support positive efforts on these tracks, given that they are conducted with full respect to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries of the region and are endorsed by their respective governments.
Competition is always a major driver of progress, as long as it remains to be fair and does not adversely affect the well-being of the people. Therefore, I believe that competition between the external powers here should be conducted not in terms of the size of their military or any other kind of might shade over the Horn of Africa but rather in terms of cooperation and assistance rendered to the countries of the region.
Herald: How do you find Ethiopia during your stay?
Ambassador Yevgeny Terekhin: I was here last time in 2006 and I can say with confidence that I can hardly recognize the country, especially the capital: large-scale construction is under way, skyscrapers, new shopping and business centers, whole districts appeared. The infrastructure has grown. In short, the city gradually acquires a new, modern look. I am sure that similar changes are taking place in other parts of the country, and it is certainly encouraging.
I must note that this time I arrived during the period of profound political, social and economic reforms carried out by the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, which inspire great respect.
Russia is watching with attention the changes in your country and wishes you every success in achieving your goals. We understand that Ethiopia still has to overcome many challenges and difficulties. You can be sure that Russia will always be with your country, with your people. Taking this opportunity, I want to express the wishes of peace, unity, and well-being to the readers of the Ethiopian Herald, the whole people of Ethiopia.
How do I feel here? I feel like home, where I returned after many years of absence. The warmth of hearts of many Ethiopian friends is helping me and I sincerely appreciate it.
Herald: You have a good command of Amharic language, could you tell us about that?
Ambassador Yevgeny Terekhin: In our country, there is a tradition of studying the Amharic language, which dates back to the XIX century. The first Amharic course graduate K. Lishinwas promoted to the post of minister-resident of the Russian Empire in Abyssinia.
A number of prominent Russian scientists made a significant contribution to the study and teaching of the state language of Ethiopia in Russia. Thanks to their efforts, a number of fundamental scientific works, textbooks and Russian-Amharic dictionaries were published. They brought up a whole generation of Russian Amharists. Today Amharic is taught at four Universities in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
In Russia, the interest in Ethiopia, its rich history, culture and language has been always kept up. Dozens on students studying Amharic later got an opportunity to use their knowledge in practical work in a wide range of areas.
As for me, I studied Amharic at Moscow State Institute for International Relations from 1975 to 1981, and in 1979 as a student, I arrived in Addis Ababa for the first time, since then I repeatedly got appointments here, in the Russian Embassy. It gave me an opportunity to improve my practical knowledge and get acquainted more in-depth with peoples, culture, traditions of Ethiopia and its incomparable nature. So, for me it would not be an exaggeration to say that Ethiopia is my second home
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday June 9, 2019
BY AMBO MEKASA
