ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopian and Russian officials and experts identified agriculture, science and innovation as potential major areas of cooperation for the two countries under BRICS+ framework.
The parties held discussion yesterday in the wake of setting common understandings that will help them as a preliminary step to the upcoming BRICS+ Experts summit which will be held in Moscow- in late May this year.
Opening the discussion, the Ethiopian Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) Director General Jafar Bedru emphasized the significance of the preliminary exchange as a testament to the burgeoning cooperation between Ethiopia and Russia.
The director general also underscored the potential of this robust relationship to foster fruitful partnerships within the BRICS+ framework.
The final decisions are expected to be presented and adopted by the BRICS + leaders’ summit. As the Russian Delegation has been in series discussions with other BRICS+ member countries’ experts, this discussion is a preliminary step to Ethiopia and the country, like any other member, is endorsing its interests, Jafar added.
“The national strategic engagement framework is also approaching completion. The experts group from different institutions has been discussing major points that Ethiopia will focus on under the BRICS+ framework.”
Heading the national experts’ group, the IFA is initiating experts who are engaged in the strategic document preparation. The document is expected to be adopted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as one of major foreign policy frameworks.
According to him, Ethiopia presents cooperation potentials that Russia can engage in. “The agricultural sector, for example, has huge potential whereby Ethiopia has uplifted itself from importing wheat.”
Sharing the above rationale, Russian BRICS Experts Council Head Victoria Panova (PhD) said that her country is committed to expanding the existing collaborations and forging stronger ties within the BRICS framework.
The expert also expressed optimism about the prospects of leveraging the dialogue to propel multifaceted cooperation to new heights.
The preliminary discussions underscored a shared vision of harnessing collective expertise and resources to address pressing global challenges while tapping opportunities for mutual growth and development, it was learned.
BY YESUF ENDRIS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 25 APRIL 2024
