ADDIS ABABA– Italy is ready to assist rehabilitation efforts of conflict-affected areas of Ethiopia, Ambassador Agostino Palese told ENA.
The ambassador noted that the Ethiopian government has a very difficult task and Italy is willing to assist the peace process. It is to be recalled that the federal government and TPLF agreed on 2 November 2022 to permanently silence the guns and end the two years of conflict in northern Ethiopia.
Since then, the federal government has been taking various measures, including restoring basic services and delivery of humanitarian assistance to the region. Ambassador Palese said we have to stay on track and need to see the final target, and come to an end to the problem.
In this respect, Italy is ready to assist rehabilitation efforts through “our cooperation agreement. We will try to intervene all over the country through various programs.” According to the ambassador, Ethiopian and Italian authorities had discussions to learn about the approach of Ethiopian authorities and to work together towards improving humanitarian situations in the country.
“I think that many things are done. But we have to continue on the framework of dialogue. This is the only way to go forward. And I think the government has many challenges. The next step would be to have inclusive dialogue throughout Ethiopia and to solve the problem with political dialogue. Political inclusiveness is the only way to go forward. I don’t see other options.”
Stating the importance of assistance and collaboration in the Horn, the ambassador noted that Italy is working on the forefront in the Horn of Africa within United Nations to have additional funds for Africa. “We always push with the international organizations to help Ethiopia in this difficult moment, especially in the humanitarian sector, and now in rehabilitation of the infrastructure,” Ambassador Palese stated.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 28 MARCH 2023
