State Minister Ambassador Taye received credentials of the newly appointed Ambassador of the Netherlands, Mr Bengt van Loosdrecht on Thursday (August 25, 2016).

Discussions focused on strengthening friendship and bilateral ties between the two countries as well as cementing multi-lateral cooperation in far-flung frontiers. The discussions also focused on widening and enhancing partnerships in areas including trade, investment, migration, floriculture and horticulture, food processing and development cooperation among others.

Wishing a vibrant diplomatic tenure for the new Ambassador, State Minister Ambassador Taye emphasized that the historic, long–standing and excellent ties between the two countries have expanded more recently.

The State Minister commended the engagement of the Netherlands in Ethiopia’s development sector. Underling on the need to further strengthen consultation and cooperation, State Minister Taye said the two countries will work more closely in the years to come.

Mr Bengt van Loosdrecht on his part praised Ethiopia’s active role in the development and diplomatic arena. The Ambassador said the Netherlands is keen to work closely with Ethiopia in areas of trade, development, and migration along with other cooperation in multi-lateral fora.

The Ambassador said Ethiopia and the Netherlands have a lot to exchange and work together in economic, social and political spheres. Ethiopia is due to host the next political consultation, it was learnt.

Currently, there are about 130 Dutch companies in Ethiopia, like Heineken, a company with considerable investments in the country. (Source: MFA Ethiopia)

State Minister Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie gave briefings to Ambassadors from Europe and the Americas on current situations in the country, particularly on the recent protests that occurred since mid-July in parts of Amhara and Oromiya Regional States at the Ministry hall on Tuesday (August 22, 2016).

Ambassador Taye shared detailed accounts on the situation of recent incidents, the causes and the cautious efforts undertaken by the Government of Ethiopia to manage the situation.

The State Minister also mentioned the immediate cause of the first protest that instigated the disturbance in Amhara Regional State at the end of the month of July and the beginning of August. By and large, State Minister Taye, said in both the Amhara and Oromia regional states, the demonstrations were made without the appropriate permission of the respective regional authorities.

The State Minister indicated though the messages and slogans were unconstitutional in nature, the demonstrations were peaceful at the beginning, but later turned violent. He mentioned the clashes between the demonstrators and law enforcing bodies in various instances caused casualties which led to the loss of life and destruction of properties where in the government decided to contain it.

The demonstrations were funneled by the satellite and social media operated by destructive forces from afar. Concerning the recent protests in Oromia region, State Minister Ambassador Taye said, although the previous unrest in Oromia Regional State was alluded to the Addis-Oromia Special Zones’ Joint Master Plan, violence continued even after the regional government had abandoned the Master Plan. The State Minister said this is a proof that the unrest that followed had nothing to do with the Master Plan.

State Minister Taye Astke-Selassie further elaborated the situation saying there were actually subjective and objective reasons for the protests, which he said were legitimate concerns that include enormous lack of good governance and failure to cater public concerns as quickly as possible, questions related to creating consensus and awareness with regard to federal constitutional arrangements, lack of employment opportunities, and also lack of service delivery which has been created due to the wide expectations the development has brought about.

Amid these conditions, he said, the concerns of the demonstrations were manipulated by those waiting quietly to further their extremist agenda. Ambassador Taye further shared updates about the on-going government efforts in response to the situations. He said the government is conducting a series of discussions and intensive engagement with various segments of the population, youth, rural community, religious community, political parties and others.

He further noted lessons will be learned from the situations, adding: “it’s a period of awakening from the Ethiopian polite” to peruse the country’s transformations in an upgraded momentum. The State Minister underlined the public is showing concern to put issues on the table and solve them through legitimate channel via debates and discussions. (MFA)

Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs held consultative meeting with co-hosts of Leaders Summit on Refugees which would be held on September 20 on the margins of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Taye Atske-selassie noted, Ethiopia as the leading host for refugees in the continent  is doing its best to make refugees part of the sustainable development program in the country.

According to Ambassador Taye Ethiopia has finalized a proposal that is expected to make a significant number of refugee beneficiaries by generating job opportunities, and providing access to education and enrollment packages, health services, vocational trainings, etc.

Ms. Clementine Nkweta-Salami, Representative of the UNHCR, noted her office was working closely with the government of Ethiopia to improve the living conditions of refugees by embarking on sound policies and strategies.

She said the LSR would galvanize significant new global commitments to increase funding to humanitarian appeals.

US Ambassador to Ethiopia Patricia Haslach on her part said the U.S. government looks forward to continue fostering partnership and commitment with Ethiopian government regarding refugee issues.

Two weeks ago, the US Embassy in Ethiopia announced: “the importance of Ethiopia as a key player in responding to refugee needs is highlighted by the fact that Ethiopia will serve as one of 7 co-hosts for President Obama’s Leaders Summit on Refugees.”

The Leaders summit is said create platforms to urge countries admit more refugees through resettlement or other legal pathways and increase refugees’ self-reliance and inclusion through opportunities for education and legal work. (MFA)

State Minister Ambassador Taye Atske Selassie met the Special Envoy for the Minster of Finland at the Foreign Affairs, Mr Pekka Olavi Haavisto on Monday (August 22, 2016). On the occasion, State Minister Ambassador Taye Atske Selassie emphasized that Ethiopia was dedicated to strengthen and deepen its strategic partnership and cooperation with Finland for the benefit of the welfare of the peoples of both countries.

The State Minister has also briefed the Special Envoy on current situations in Ethiopia, more specifically on the recent protests in some parts of Amhara and Oromia regional states. Ambassador Taye explained that the very basic development in Ethiopia has created a number of people to be demanding and aspire for a lot more inclusive development, adding: “We will certainly but slowly be there”.

Ambassador Taye has also related updates on regional peace and security issues concerning Somalia and South Sudan. He stressed that Ethiopia would continue to play a major role in promoting and finding ways for dialogue, negotiation and cooperation to restore peace and promoting reconciliation in South Sudan. Ambassador Taye assured the Special Envoy that Ethiopia was ready to join hands with Finland and other friendly nations to develop peace and security in the region.

Special Envoy for the Minster of Finland at the Foreign Affairs Mr Pekka Olavi Haavisto on his part appreciated Ethiopia’s role in the maintenance of regional peace and security. He also applauded the country’s commitment to deepen bilateral ties and strengthen its comprehensive strategic partnership with Finland.

He further said Finland would like to broaden its cooperation with Ethiopia on issues of development and regional peace and security. (MFA)

The fourth year memorial service of the great leader Meles Zenawi was held today (August 20, 2016).

During a memorial service held this morning at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, in Addis Ababa, prayers, candlelight vigils and wreath laying ceremony was  held in the presence of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, regional state officials, ambassadors and religious leaders as well as representatives of various organizations.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn laid a wreath of flowers in memory of the great leader Meles Zenawi. (MFA)

The Peace and Security Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia in collaboration with the United Nations and the African Union organized a three-day workshop, which aimed at offering capacity building packages to the Ethiopian United Nations Security Council Team (UNSC) on Monday (August 15, 2016). The three day workshop was held under the theme: “United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Affairs For Ethiopian United Nations Security Council Team (UNSC).”

In his opening remarks, State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Taye Atske-selassie, stressed that the workshop would be a great opportunity to enhance the capability and knowledge of Ethiopian diplomats as far as the United Nations Security Council operation is concerned and other state of affairs related with the United Nations.

The State Minister further said participants of the workshop would be able to investigate the contemporary peace and security challenges and thereby meet the Ministry’s demands.

This would enable the Ethiopian UNSC team to efficiently contribute more to the country’s undertakings throughout its term at the United Nations, he added. (MFA)

Ethiopian Ambassadors visited one of IPDC’s (Industrial Parks Development Corporation) flagship project, Hawassa Industrial park, located 275 kms from Addis Ababa on Sunday (August 14). The Hawassa industrial park which would function with zero waste discharge system was recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn. The Ambassadors noted HIP showcased the government’s determined move to make Ethiopia the hub of light Manufacturing industries in Africa. Centered on textile and garment products, and fully integrated to the city, HIP is Ethiopia’s first major eco-friendly development.

On the occasion organizers of the visit noted the Government of Ethiopia is improving Hawassa’s connectivity through the extension of the Addis-Adama highway to Hawassa, the construction of a domestic airport, and the extension of the Addis – Modjo – Djibouti railway to Hawassa. The park has already embraced 15 leading global apparel and textile companies. They also noted that six local companies are ready to start operation in the park.

Earlier on Sunday, at the conference on “Diaspora Engagement in SNNPR” the President of Southern Nation Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), Ato Dessie Dalkie said Ethiopia in general and the region in particular offers a comprehensive set of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to encourage investment. The top-notch Hawassa Industrial Project is constructed by renowned Chinese Company, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) and completed in just nine months. (MFA)

The Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the IGAD Plus held on Friday 5th of August its Second Extra-Ordinary Summit meeting in Addis Ababa with the attendance of Heads of State from the region and representatives from the UN, African Union, JMEC and IGAD.

The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia and current Chairperson of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government discussed the overall situation in South Sudan. The meeting underscoring the fact that the situation in South Sudan constitutes “a serious threat to regional peace, security and stability” endorsed “the outcome of the meeting of the East African Chiefs of Defense Staff held on 29th July 2016, in Addis Ababa, on the deployment of a Regional Protection Force as the basis for further and urgent discussion with the United Nations towards reaching a common ground on speedy deployment of the Force under UNMISS,” reads a communiqué issued by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the IGAD Plus.

The meeting urging “the UN Security Council to urgently extend the mission of UNMISS with a revised mandate including the deployment of the Regional Protection Force with distinct responsibilities under the direct command of a commander who will report to the overall UNMISS Force Commander, to be based in Juba” directed  “the East African Chiefs of Defense Staff to invite their counterparts in the TGoNU to discuss the modalities of the implementation of their recommendations including the immediate return to the implementation of Chapter Two of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS) with the objective of unification and integration of the forces, said the communiqué. The communiqué noted that the position of the Government of South Sudan that accepted in principle the deployment of the Regional Protection Force for the protection of the IDPs, humanitarian agencies and JMEC urged the TGoNU to work expeditiously on the deployment of the Regional Protection Force. The meeting called upon DrRiek Machar to rejoin the peace process, urging “President SalvaKiirMayardit and the people of South Sudan to embrace a return to the spirit of long lasting peace in their country.”

Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn vowed on Saturday (August 8) that Ethiopia is keen to expedite infrastructure development to improve the investment and business climate while inaugurating the 28.1 km Akaki-IT Park (Goro) and Akaki-Lebu asphalt concrete roads. The Premier also noted that the Government has allotted huge sums of money for transport infrastructure projects to turn the country one of the epicenters of investment and FDI destination in Africa, promising that the Government will extend support to local contractors and consultants to engage in the field of infrastructure. The roads were built in just six months by China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) at a cost of 4.6 billion birr. Over 3,000 workers toiled to build the roads. When it opens to traffic, the roads are expected to ease traffic congestion along Akaki-Kaliti road.75 percent of the construction cost was covered by a loan secured from Exim Bank of China while the remaining cost was covered by the Government of Ethiopia. (MFA Ethiopia)