Its moderate climate together with the hospitable nature of its people makes Addis the optimal preference of most people. Addis is not only loved by its residents, ambassadors, diplomats and diasporas considered the capital as their second home. The young Serbian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Aleksandar Ristic, is one of them in this regard
Lately, The Ethiopian Herald had a chance to interview the Ambassador to know his impression about Addis.
Ambassador Aleksandar Ristic was stationed in Ethiopia from 2006 to 2010. And now, he has returned back to a city he loves most as an Ambassador of Serbia to Ethiopia. “I am really happy to be back to the city I truly feel as my second home. Addis Ababa is a place of my best memories, where I learned a lot, made many friends, and enjoyed living in Kazanchis. Indeed, my neighbors still remember me and being posted here again is a real gift.”
Asked the historical relationship of the two countries, Ambasador Aleksandar Ristic said, Serbia and Ethiopia have enjoyed friendly relations for many years. Their ties go back to the first decades of the 20th century, when the two countries faced the same enemy and when peoples in both Yugoslavia, as my country was then called, and Ethiopia supported each other. It is little known that more than 300 volunteers from my country were ready to go to Abyssinia in 1936 to join the resistance against the invaders.
After World War II our relations became even more cordial and developed. Thousands of Ethiopians
graduated from universities in my country, many Serbian companies were active in Ethiopia, and a lot of experts were engaged in agriculture, medicine, construction and other fields.
I would here also to just mention architects from Yugoslavia whose works, such as General Post Office is the one.
In addition to that, one of Addis Ababa’s landmarks – Sidist Kilo Yekatit 12 Monument – was made by Yugoslav sculptors and presented to Ethiopia in 1955.
“Based on this, our political relations, today is excellent. Serbia and Ethiopia have been friends for decades.
We would definitely like to heighten our trade relations and our cooperation in the fields of agriculture, health, pharmaceuticals and in water, energy and geology,” he remarked.
Asked what common features he has observed between Belgrade and Addis Ababa? Ambassador Aleksandar Ristic said that the two capitals have special ties. As part of this strong attachment a street is named in Belgrade after the great athlete and Olympic Champion Abebe Bikila. What is more, Belgrade and Addis Ababa are similar in a way that they are both very nice places for life. Both of them are vibrant and hospitable, diverse, and rich in culture, history and gastronomy.
There are also several similar projects taking place in the capital of Serbia. Belgrade Waterfront – known in Serbian as Belgrade on Water – is the biggest one. It is, just like The Addis Ababa River Project (Beautifying Sheger), building an emotional bond with the community by delivery of public open spaces, with sports activities and water-inspired recreation and leisure. Just like in Ethiopia, where The Addis Ababa River Project is strongly supported by Prime Minister. Abiy Ahmed, Belgrade Waterfront is spearheaded by Aleksandar Vucic, President of the Republic of Serbia.
While responding how he observes the activities planned by the government to beautify the City and its economic progress, Ambassador Aleksandar Ristic said, “I used to live in Addis some years ago. When I came back, I could not recognize the City as it had been. The beautifying activities proved to be very successful and their results are incredible.
“Economic progress of Addis is obvious and ubiquitous. And I am not talking only about new roads, expressways, flyovers, hotels, malls and other buildings, none of which were here when I first lived in this beautiful country. It is, more importantly, more people employed and happy to live in the city – and the country – where they can provide for their families and enjoy life.”
Last Monday Ethiopians have planted over 300 million seedlings. Using the day as an opportunity, the Serbian Ambassador and his staff have planted seedlings within the premises of the Embassy out of it.
According to Ambassador Aleksandar Ristic, now the government has initiated massive seedlings plantation program. Thanks to the commitment of the government and its people, there is aggressive move to fix what was lost. “In this regard, we, diplomats, are happy to participate in this great initiative. My staff and I have taken part in planting seedlings both at the Embassy’s compound in Kazanchis and in Gulele Sub City.”
The program is not only a project that will benefit the generations to come. It is also a noble work that the government should be praised for.
While talking what can Addis can learn from the City of Belgrade, the Ambassador Aleksandar Ristic said that it is always the people who make cities livable cities. “I believe there is a lot we can learn from each other. Having in mind similarities between the two projects I mentioned, among other things, our capitals can work together and the city administrations should exchange views and experience on many issues, he added.
The Ethiopian Herald July 31/2019
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
