During the week, the conference sessions, and discussions led by the State Ministers, Mrs. Hirut Zemene, Dr. Markos Tekle, Dr. Aklilu Hailemichael and Ambassador Birtukan Ayano, shed light on different aspects of the progress, problems and challenges of the diplomatic missions and the Ministry. The discussions considered regional, global, and geopolitical trends affecting Ethiopia and its neighbors, reviewed the efforts of economic diplomacy and Diaspora engagement in country development. State Minister Dr. Markos chaired a panel on trends influencing Ethiopia’s diplomatic stance in a highly interconnected, interdependent globalized world. The discussion considered the implementation of institutional reform, building a refurbished…

Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed opened the week-long annual Ambassadors meeting held with the leadership of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director Generals, Ambassadors and diplomats. The discussions cover the country’s ongoing reform, the impact on foreign policy, the progress and challenges in responding to contemporary global issues of national interest, enhancement of economic diplomacy, Diaspora engagement, the reforms within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and considerations of lessons learned in the last year. The Prime Minister emphasized that Diplomacy was one pillar of economic development; it was the vital bedrock for socio-economic progress. He said: “Our Ambassadors and diplomats are…

Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with President Ismail Omar Guelleh to mark the 40th anniversary of China/Djibouti bilateral relations on Tuesday (January 8). In a message, President Xi Jinping recalled President Guelleh’s state visit to China in November 2017 when the two presidents announced the establishment of a bilateral strategic partnership; and President Guelleh’s participation in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit when they reached a new consensus on further ties and signed a Memorandum of Understanding on pushing forward Belt and Road construction. President Xi Jinping said that in the past 40 years, China and Djibouti…

Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, arrived in the town of Tessenai, in Western Eritrea, on Monday (January 7) where he was welcomed by Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, before the two leaders cut the ribbon to officially open the Om Hager-Humera cross-border road, closed for more than two decades. They were accompanied by senior officials of both countries including the presidents of Ethiopia’s Tigray and Amhara Regional States. Eritrea’s Minister of Information Yemane Gebremeskel, said the reopening of the road was in line with article 3 of the Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship that the two countries signed on July…

Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland arrived in Ethiopia for a working visit on Tuesday (January 8). During his visit, Mr. Leo Varadkar held talks with Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed on bilateral, regional and international matters. The Prime Minister also paid a courtesy call on President Sahle-Work Zewde and met with the Acting Chairperson of the AU Commission as well as visiting the Lalibela Rock-Hewn churches and Irish Aid supported projects in Tigray Regional State. 2019 marks 25 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Ethiopia and 25 years of Irish Aid’s work in Ethiopia, and the visit…

Ethiopian tourist attractions were exhibited to Chinese Tour Operators and Travel Agents in Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China last week. The Ethiopian Embassy in Beijing in collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines organized a Tourism Promotion Forum to promote Ethiopia’s tourism potential and destinations, in Shenyang, on Saturday (December 26). The Forum was organized under the theme, “Explore Ethiopia: The Land of Origins.” Ethiopia is second to none in Africa with its plethora of unique tourist attractions although its tourism development and strategic promotional efforts have yet to lead to a necessary paradigm shift in the sector. There’s still much to be…

The Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the UN, Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie and Director General of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Fortuna Dibaco, acknowledged the end of Ethiopia’s two years as a Non-Permanent member of the   UN Security Council at a press conference this week. Ethiopia’s membership ended in December 31. Ambassador Taye told the media this week that Ethiopia, during its time on the Council had underlined its role as a “firm, stalwart advocate of international peace and security spearheading principled and balanced positions on global issues of peace contributing constructively towards concerted and consistent efforts…

Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu bade farewell to Ambassador Susanna Moorehead, the outgoing UK Ambassador to Ethiopia and Djibouti and Permanent Representative to the AU and UN Economic Commission for Africa on January 2. The Minister thanked the Ambassador for her efforts to enhance and complement relations between Ethiopia and UK. He highlighted the true friendship and common vision both countries enjoyed including collaboration on a myriad of issues of mutual concern at regional and global levels. The Minister said: “Our long-standing historical and important relation has garnered practical outcomes as Ethiopia is undertaking sweeping reforms in good governance, opening up political…