There is a saying that goes a genuine friend is your fulfilled wish. Also another proverb runs whosoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
The concepts at the kernel of the aforementioned adages are applicable to humans, institutions and countries.
True, meticulously choosing a friend conducting researches and studying dispositions are recommended for optimizing returns that accrue from multifaceted clicking promising mutual growth and also for forestalling political impositions like arm twisting.
Those seeking a true relationship rooted in trust and common vision must be seen pets not pawns or pushovers. The affluent ones in the relationship must be averse to predatory sentiments.
It is in accordance with the above mentioned mentality Ethiopia today is marching on the avenue of diplomacy expanding its fan base on the sector.
The diplomatic relation of Ethiopia is leaping to a higher level from time to time. To decipher the reason behind the success story it doesn’t take much effort, as the roadmap of the new foreign affairs policy set in motion from the very outset of the change derive is palpable.
This policy never frowns up on any country as an enemy. It zeros in on possibilities for reciprocating with the intent of common growth.
Those countries that understood well the friendly policy Ethiopia embraced today are solidifying their diplomatic relationship with Ethiopia that is intent to optimize the benefits to be garnered from such ventures. They are creating economic—trade, investment, tourism.
Springboards with the country for a joint ascent to a better tomorrow on top of the people-to-people relationships that afford a window into one another’s country. This has wide opened doors for Ethiopia to harness sound relationships that develop from the diplomatic steps to efficiently put to use potentials for economic pickups.
Its diplomatic relation with Fareast countries specially with China is conspicuously turning multi-pronged. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s stay in China on 21 October 2003 tells a lot as it has a special meaning to Ethiopia.
The visit is one that not only consolidates the relationship between the countries; it as well magnifies their economic cooperation. Especially Ethiopia’s being a member of BRICS countries has become reason enough to render Ethio-China’s relation robust.
Similarly in the course of the past five years now, the country has forged amicable diplomatic relationship with European countries. Apart from pacifying the unrest that erupted in the northern part of the country, the government is striving to put damaged infrastructural facilities back into shape. In so doing, the country has secured financial and technical support.
Owing to its geographical proximity to Europe, the country has registered commendable result exporting quality agricultural produces even when the global trade corridor was under the grip of Coronavirus.
Though Ethiopia’s relationship with America was strong for long it has been disrupted for a couple of years on the wake of the unrest that rocked Tigray. Owing to this Ethiopia has been banned from benefiting from AGOA. As Ethiopia doesn’t allow others to interfere in its internal affair, it has not yet changed its stance.
It is to be recalled that after the Pretoria agreement more specifically on 13 December 2022 Minister of USA’s Foreign Affairs Antonio Blinken had visited Ethiopia. The two countries have reached agreement to revitalize their relation. Ethiopia has also requested the continuance of its being a beneficiary of AGOA.
Of late PM Abiy has met with his Czech counterpart Petr Fiala to discuss on issues that buttress bilateral ties. The two countries have vowed to take to new heights their clicking in agriculture, mining, tourism and defense sectors. The latter’s recent visit of Ethiopia is a manifestation of the vibrant relationship the two countries have.
Ethiopia’s ties with countries in the Middle East are friendly ones especially with the UAE. Following the sound bond Ethiopia created with UAE, many Ethiopians are enjoying job opportunities in that country. Reports of Ministry of Labor and Skill indicate that over 120,000 Ethiopians have got job opportunities in UAE.
Ethiopia is beneficiary of the good relationship it forged with countries across the globe. The new foreign affair policy and the fertile ground it created on the sector is ascribable to the achievement. It is profitable keeping the tempo of working on common interest with all countries. This is inconsonance with the governments and peoples’ interest.
The Ethiopian Herald November 30/2023
