Press Briefing Summary – 24 February 2022

Political News
February 24, 2022

The spokesperson of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, H.E. Ambassador Dina Mufti, gave the Ministry’s biweekly press briefing today (February 24, 2022) to the media. In his presentation, the Ambassador focused on political diplomacy (with a special focus on the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H.E. Demeke Mekonnen’s participation in the Munich Security Conference and State Minister H.E. Ambassador Redwan Hussein’s visit to Pakistan), including Economic Diplomacy, citizen-centered diplomatic activities and capacity building activities of the ministry over the week.

#PoliticalDiplomacy
Engagements of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H.E. Demeke Mekonnen

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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen had participated in the 58th Munich Security Forum in Germany which was held from 18-20 February, 2022.

Background on the Munich Security Conference

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The three-day Security Conference was held in a hybrid (both virtually and in-person) format bringing together high-ranking decision-makers and prominent opinion leaders from all over the world in Munich to discuss the most pressing security concerns.

Roundtable discussions, conversations, statements, and debates were made on a broad range of issues, including combating the pandemic, climate change, and corruption, promoting knowledge transfer, and balancing peace and security arrangements in the world that is defined by geopolitical interests.

Participation of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister

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The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister had participated in two roundtable discussions and a number of bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Sweden and Ireland as well as Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany. The first discussion was on cooperation on security issues in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. The second roundtable discussion was on security challenges and way outs in Africa held under the tile: “Rethinking responses: Terrorism, violent extremism and Trans-organized crimes in Africa exploring the causes of such challenges and proposing possible solutions.”

On the Roundtable Discussion on the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea

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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister raised the following points:

The Red Sea and Horn of Africa region need more engagement and radical initiatives for expedited regional economic integration and peaceful development.
The international community needs to provide solid support to neutralize extremist groups in the region, mentioning the importance of strengthening AMISOM (AU mission in Somalia) in this regard.
He underlined the importance of creating a functioning framework of cooperation among the Red Sea and Horn African states that would accommodate the interests of all or at least of the majority of stakeholders. In this regard, he said the “Red Sea Littoral States Forum” that was established in 2019 was neither correct nor practical since it excluded Ethiopia from the Red Sea. Initiatives to develop common endeavors at multilateral levels to stem the illegal flow of migrants, drugs, and weapons along the Red Sea route should be encouraged, he said. Though Ethiopia is not a littoral state, he said its proximity to the region makes it logical to incorporate it in any association around the Red Sea.
He explained the pivotal roles Ethiopia has been playing to ensure better transport connectivity among nations in the region which leads to improved economic growth and trade.
Moreover, he mentioned the ongoing road construction projects underway in the region aiming at improving regional infrastructure unlocking huge socio-economic benefits amongst nations in the region.
He called on the International community to give proper recognition to Ethiopia’s decision to conduct an inclusive national dialogue.
He also underlined that outstanding and emerging challenges in the neighboring countries require sustainable solutions.

On the Tana Forum Roundtable Discussion

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The forum deliberated security challenges and wayouts in the Horn of Africa. The forum was attended by the Foreign Minister of Somalia, Defense Minister of Tanzania, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to the Africa Union, Ambassador Mulu Solomon, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Germany, and Dr. Annette Weber, European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister,

Underlined that armed conflict, insurgency, terrorism, violent extremism, trafficking, and organized transitional crimes have made the Horn of Africa a hotspot in the global system.
He said the challenges that the Horn Region faces today could be traced back to a failure in managing transitions and elections, ethnic differences, transboundary resources, and interventions by global and regional powers.
The event called on further commitment to abide by the maxim, “African Solution to African Problems,” and to enhance bilateral and multilateral Global North-Global South cooperation.
Attendees have also emphasized the need to forge strong working relationships among intergovernmental organizations, civil societies, academia, and the media.

Sideline Bilateral Meetings

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During his meeting with the foreign ministers of Sweden and Ireland as well as Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister,

Thanked the government and people of Germany for the uninterrupted development cooperation with the government and people of Ethiopia.
Explained a series of major and bold decisions made by the government to reach a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the northern part of the country.
He said the TPLF continued its warmongering nature by attacking neighboring regions adding up to the atrocious acts that it has been committing so far.
He called on the international community to break the silence and hold the TPLF accountable for destroying the economic and social infrastructure that affected the delivery of humanitarian services.
Spoke on the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the TPLF-induced conflict, and drought in some parts of the country, underlined that affected people are in need of much-needed humanitarian assistance.
He expressed hope that Germany, Sweden and Ireland would have a thorough understanding of the complex situation in Ethiopia.

The Ministers, on their part, appreciated and pledged to support the positive steps taken by the government of Ethiopia to bring about peace in the country.

Overall results of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s participation in the Munich Security Conference coupled with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali’s participation in the AU-EU Summit were successful engagements over the week bearing fruitful results

The participations of the leaders:

Made high level decision makers of the world understand the current peaceful situation in Ethiopia and the conflict that the country was dragged into by the TPLF without the government’s choice
The leaders explained the positive steps that the government of Ethiopia has been taking to ensure peace in the country (the release of prisoners, the proposed national dialogue, the government’s decision to withhold troops from entering Tigray)
The leaders were also able to show the world the recent humanitarian and medical supply to Tigray and commitment to work with humanitarian operators despite the TPLF’s continued attack against the neighbouring regions
Both the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister were able to hold sideline meetings with influential leaders in Europe further cementing relationships and securing the support of Europe to Ethiopia’s peace and security efforts, including development endeavors.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia recognizes the outstanding performance of stakeholders that made the hosting of the 40th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 35th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa successful. H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia and State Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Birtukan Ayano thanked the stakeholders for their remarkable services and expressed expectations for more vibrant cooperation for hosting similar events. The Deputy Prime Minister also handed over certificates of recognition to representatives of various institutions.

Engagements of State Minister, H.E. Ambassador Redwan Hussein

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State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, H.E. Ambassador Redwan Hussien led a delegation to Pakistan and met high level officials and Pakistani businepeople.

In meeting the Prime Minister of Pakistan, H.E. Imran Khan, Ambassador Redwan delivered a message to the Prime Minister on behalf of Ethiopian Prime Minister H.E. Abiy Ahmed Ali. The Ambassador also delivered the Prime Minister’s appreciation of Pakistan’s principled position in support of Ethiopia in the international Fora. Ambassador Redwan noted Ethiopia and Pakistan have laid a sound foundation of friendship and cooperation at both the bilateral and multilateral levels. Mentioning the growing relationship, particularly in trade, investment as well as international peace and security, Ambassador Redwan announced his country’s decision to open an embassy in Islamabad. Considering the friendly and growing relationship between the two countries, the ambassador extended Prime Minister Abiy’s invitation to Prime Minister Imran Khan to visit Ethiopia and further cement ties. Prime Minister Imran Khan, on his part, conveyed cordial greetings for Prime Minister Abiy, warmly reciprocated his sentiments of goodwill and friendship, and thanked him for the invitation. The Prime Minister underscored that Pakistan highly valued its long-standing ties with Ethiopia and stressed the importance of further increasing trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
H.E. Ambassador Redwan Hussien also met with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, H.E. Shah Mehmood Qureshi and made the first bilateral Political Consultation with the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, H.E. Ambassador Sohail Mohamood. Ambassador Redwan met these high-level officials of Pakistan separately and held discussions of political and economic nature, intending to strengthen bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries.
H.E. Ambassador Redwan Hussein had also made a series of meetings with the Office of the Prime minister of Pakistan Board of Investment, the chamber of Commerce of Islamabad, Company CEOs in Pakistan, and representatives of The Center for Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI).

➢ Islamabad’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed the interest of its members to do business with Ethiopian businesspeople and cooperate with the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations. The chamber has shown great interest to work with the Ethiopian Business community to import and export different products and on Joint ventures while requesting for options for the issuance of visas on arrival to Pakistan’s businesspeople. Ambassador Redwan, on his part, said a visa on arrival would be considered and a direct flight of Ethiopian Airlines to Karachi was also under process.

➢ During the discussion with members of the Board of Investment (BOI), the Chairman, Muhammad Azfar Ahsan stressed that Pakistan considers Ethiopia to be one of the centerpieces of its Engage-Africa initiative, while Ethiopia can come to rely on Pakistan as a trusted all-weather partner in the Global South. Ambassador Redwan pointed out that Ethiopia is set to establish its permanent Mission in Pakistan soon and underscored the need to set a regular mechanism of interaction between business associations and chamber of commerce of the two countries. The Chairman of BOI finally invited Ethiopian investors to participate in Pakistan Investment Summit scheduled to be held on 30th – 31st March 2022.

➢ The Ethiopian delegation had also a meeting with the leaders of the Centre for Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI). The meeting noted that Ethiopia and Pakistan have a mutual interest to develop economic and trade ties by employing the untapped potentials of the two countries. Their discussion included the need to create academic and institutional collaboration with think tanks and academia in the two countries.

Minister of Finance, H.E. Ahmed Shide, and State Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E Redwan Hussien met European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Dr. Annette Weber on the sideline of the #AU–#EU Summit that was held in Brussels, Belgium from 17-18 of February 2022. During the meeting, they exchanged views on the path that Ethiopia is heading- toward peace and reconciliation through dialogue. The discussion between the two sides included the steps taken for humanitarian delivery, including medical supplies to the northern part of Ethiopia.

Engagements by Mission leaders

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Ethiopian Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Ambassador Meles Alem said Ethiopia and Kenya need to strengthen their strong diplomatic ties in the economic sector. He made the remarks while holding talks with a Kenyan business delegation led by the Chairman of the Kenya Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Sectoral Associations, Samuel Matonda, on ways to strengthen trade and investment between the two countries.

Ethiopia’s Ambassador in Russia, H.E. Ambassador Alemayehu Tegenu met the President of Moscow State Institute of International Relations. They discussed the memorandum of understanding signed between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia and the university to work closely. They also talked about possibilities for having online education to Ethiopians, and the availability of various articles prepared by the University for the Embassy.

Ethiopia’s ambassador in Switzerland, H.E. Ambassador Zenebe Kebede had a meeting in Bern with Ambassador Thomas Gass, Head of Department South Cooperation at Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). They discussed bilateral development cooperation issues and current affairs in Ethiopia.

Ethiopian Ambassador in South Sudan H.E. Nebil Mahadi had a meeting with the Minister of Peae od South Sudan. Ambassador Nebil said the relationship between the two countries is longstanding which should be further strengthened with people-to-people relations and expedited implementations of signed agreements. The South Sudanese minister, on his part, said Ethiopia has a key role to play in stabilizing the region. He said relations between the two countries are more than mutually beneficial, adding that it is important to pay more attention to people-to-people relations.

Ethiopia’s Ambassador in Israel, H. E. Ambassador Reta Alemu Nega met with Mr. Damtew, Country Representative of #UNHCR in Israel at the Embassy. The two held discussion on possible areas of cooperation. He referred about Ethiopia’s participation in the UN system and its active role in the UNHCR. Mr. Damtew pointed out Ethiopia has been highly regarded as a nation hosting significant number of refugees in Africa. The two agreed to collaborate on various issues of common interest.

#EconomicDiplomacy

A delegation led by the Executive Director of the Ethiopian Horticulture Producers & Exporters Associations made a three-day-long working visit to Djibouti from February 16-18, 2022. During the visit, the delegation conferred with Ethiopian Ambassador to Djibouti H.E. Berhanu Tsegaye, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Trade & Tourism, and other High level official of the Djiboutian Chamber of Commerce and underscored the need to scale up fruits & vegetable trading.

Speaking of at the commencement of a technical committee meeting on fast tracking the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between Ethiopia and Kenya over the week in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, Ambassador Meles Alem said the first power generation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on 20 February 2022 has strategic significance to the region and beyond as it is timely. The PPA was signed between Ethiopia and Kenya in 2012. The Ambassador said, Ethiopia and Kenya have solid, deep and undented relations both at the leaders and peoples levels.

III. #CitizenCentered Diplomacy

Engineer Tadesse Oljira, a resident of Juba, South Sudan, and owner of JTN General Trading and Investment, expressed his delight at the completion of the first phase of the Renaissance Dam and bought a $ 10,000 GERD bond on behalf of his family. In addition to his previous support for the Defense Forces and displaced people, Engineer Tadesse Oljira purchased a $ 20,000 Renaissance Dam bond in January last year.

Ethiopians and Friends of Ethiopia in Israel hosted a fundraising dinner to support victims of terrorist groups in Ethiopia. Speaking at the event, H.E. Ambassador Reta Alemu appreciated the unrelenting efforts of Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia living in Israel to support victims of terrorist groups in various parts of Ethiopia.

Members of the National Technical Committee responsible for repatriating Ethiopian citizens who are in dire conditions in Saudi Arabia discussed the implementation plan over the week. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Birtukan Ayano, who chaired the meeting, said the committee’s discussion would be crucial to create coordination among various stakeholders and boost efforts in alleviating the problems that Ethiopians are facing in Saudi Arabia.

Ethiopian Ambassador to the United Kingdom H.E. Teferi Melese Desta had a meeting with Afar community leaders and members in the United Kingdom. Attendees discussed the ongoing terrorist attack on innocent civilians and infrastructure development in the Afar region, as well as the responsibilities of the government and the community. Community representatives also called on the Ethiopian government and the Ethiopian people to work together to stop the ongoing attacks on innocent people in the region.

#CapacityBuilding

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched a training course over the week for newly appointed mission leaders in various countries as well as senior officials at the head office. In her opening remarks, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ambassador Birtukan Ayano said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has undergone institutional reform to respond appropriately to the current situation in the country. She said the institutional reform will safeguard Ethiopia’s interests in line with the key objectives of the country’s overall reform process. She said mission leaders should employ the concepts they would get in the awareness-raising training for the success of their respective duties.

Source: Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels