Countries hosting Ethiopian embassies have begun filing charges against Ethiopians who trespass the vicinities of the embassies in those countries.

Ethiopian protesters in U.S. and Europe have repeatedly stormed embassies in those countries.

Previously angered protesters have also briefly took control of the Ethiopian Embassy in London.

Tewolde Mulugeta, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told journalists that the Ethiopian government is working closely with US and European countries to bring perpetrators to justice.

Government officials allege that the protests in Ethiopia and elsewhere are being organised by exiled opposition movement such as the US based Ginbot-7 which had long been designated by Addis Ababa as terrorist entity.

Tewolde said the western countries are filing charges against the perpetrators in accordance with the Vienna Declaration that provides the premises of a diplomatic mission, such as an embassy, to be protected by the host country from intrusion or damage.

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 is an international treaty that defines a framework for diplomatic relations between independent countries.

The Convention provides that the premises of a diplomatic mission are inviolable and the host country must protect the mission from intrusion or damage.

Contrary to the provisions of the Convention that provides for the invincibility of embassies and missions, Ethiopians in the Diaspora intruded into the compounds and created havoc on the compounds of the Ethiopian embassies in London, Stockholm, Washington and Canberra.

“Some Diasporas violated international law of immunity of the Ethiopian embassies abroad by intruding into the embassies compounds when they have every democratic rights to present their issues to the embassies in a formal legal manner,” Tewolde stated.

According to the spokesperson, the Australian government has already filed a charge against intruders into the Embassy in Canberra, while the respective governments in London, Stockholm and Washington are processing legal actions against perpetrators.

The official further said the doors of the Ethiopian government are always open to engage in dialogue with Ethiopians in the Diaspora on the policies and the development strategies of the government based on visible evidences.

Source : Sudan Tribune

In the fifth edition of the Global Green Economy Index (GGEI) made public in September 2016, Ethiopia is ranked 14 globally in terms of climate change performance, between France (13) and Italy (15).

The country gained 12 ranks since 2014 when it was listed at the 26th position. Thanks to its good ranking in the current report, Ethiopia is described as one of the “top performers” among developing countries.

Moreover, Ethiopia is ranked number one worldwide in the category “Leadership in the area of climate change”.

In its analysis, the report points out that “Ethiopia is now near the top ten in terms of overall GGEI performance, an improvement driven mostly by maintaining a top position on the Leadership & Climate Change dimension while simultaneously improving its result on the Environment dimension considerably.”

The Global Green Economy Index is a data-driven analysis of how 80 countries perform in the global green economy, as well as how expert practitioners rank this performance.

Read the full report: http://dualcitizeninc.com/GGEI-2016.pdf

The European Investment Bank is set to lend Ethiopia $200 million to build two industry parks that will employ 30,000 refugees in a move aimed at curbing migration to Europe. Ethiopia proposed the plan and the EIB said that 30,000 refugees will be included among the 100,000 people who will be employed altogether in the two parks. As part of the agreement, Ethiopia will grant the refugees employment rights; other jobs will be reserved for young Ethiopian job-seekers. The scheme will cost a total of $500 million and the World Bank, Britain, and other EU nations will provide the rest of the financing. Mr. Hoyer, the President of the European Investment Bank said in a statement on Wednesday (September 21) that “Ethiopia is for many a stopping point before making the dangerous onward journey to final destinations in Europe, and initiatives and projects like this provide people with a choice to stay closer to home and an opportunity for economic growth as well.” UK Prime Minister, Thesesa May, said the project would be a model for how to support poorer countries housing large numbers of migrants. Ethiopia currently hosts the largest number of refugees on the African continent, 0ver 7640,000, mainly from South Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia and many of the 160,000 from Eritrea in particular try to make the journey into North Africa and across the Mediterranean to Europe. The European Union says more than 33,000 Eritreans sought asylum in Europe last year.

US President Barack Obama has praised Ethiopia’s role in hosting and supporting refugees as well as efforts to improve their condition.

Speaking at a panel organized on the sidelines of the 71st UN General Assembly in New York, President Obama said the role Ethiopia plays in sheltering refugees and helping them access to humanitarian assistance is exemplary to others.

Noting that Germany, Turkey, Pakistan, Canada and Sweden have also been playing important role, Obama urged other countries to share these practices so as to address challenges refugees have been facing.

At the panel Ethiopia, Canada, Germany, Jordan, Mexico and Sweden share their experiences in sheltering large number of refugees and activities to improve their conditions.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalgen said that Ethiopia will continue to provide shelter to refugees and activities to improve their condition.

The government is providing the chance for refugees to get access to education and engage in income generating activities including agriculture, Hailemariam said.

The government is facilitating conditions to make refugees access to 30 percent of job opportunities to be created in various industrial parks, as part of improving their condition, he added.

Currently, 65 million people, roughly one per cent of world’s total population, are displaced worldwide.

Ethiopia has been sheltering over 800,000 refugees.

World leaders are discussing ways of tackling the growing global migration crisis, the biggest migration crisis in which the number of displaced people surpassed those of World War II.

Source: The Ethiopian Herald

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Tedros Adhanom met with Linas Antanas Linkevicius, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, at the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, on 20 September 2016, wherein the two sides discussed on ways of facilitating platforms for the signing of agreements on political consultation and economic cooperation.

Describing the visit of Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Antanas Linkevicius to Ethiopia in May 2014 as historic, Foreign Minister Dr. Tedros emphasized on the need to go ahead with finalizing preparations for the signing of agreements on political consultation and economic cooperation.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Antanas Linkevicius on his part said Ethiopia and Lithuania could cooperate on a range of fields, which he said particularly included partnerships in industries and businesses, life sciences, sophisticated leather technologies, and information technology among others.

The two sides also discussed on ways of moving forward the EU-Africa cooperation on migration and specifically on the strategic engagement agreement signed between Ethiopia and the European Union.

It is to be recalled that the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius had paid an official visit to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, back in May 2014 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Dr. Tedros Adhanom. Indeed this was the first visit of the head of Lithuania’s diplomacy to Sub-Saharan Africa.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Tedros Adhanom held discussions with Mrs. Lillane Ploumen, Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, at the margins of the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, today (September 19, 2016).

The two sides discussed on ways of promoting bilateral relations, and fostering cooperation on the issue of migration and refugees.

Acknowledging that Ethiopia is a strong partner in the Horn of Africa region, Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mrs. Lillane Ploumen revealed that her country is keen to work with Ethiopia in a range of fields, and particularly move forward the cooperation on issues related to migration. In such score, she hailed Ethiopia’s open door policy to refugees from neighboring countries.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Tedros Adhanom on his part underscored the longstanding relations between Ethiopia and the Netherlands.

Mindful of the fact that Ethiopia is home to close 800, 000 refugees, the largest in Africa, Dr. Tedros said Ethiopia would work ahead with the Netherlands on ways of dealing with the challenge of migration.

Source: MFA Ethiopia

Ethiopians across the nation and overseas celebrated the 2009 Ethiopian New Year, ‘Enkutatash’, with various festivities. Ethiopia, a land full of wonders, uses its own calendar (የኢትዮጵያ ዘመን አቆጣጠር) and New Year falls on the 11th of September or on the 12th of the month during a leap year. The Ethiopian New Year is also known as Kidus Yohannes in memory of the beheading of Kidus Yohannes, St. John the Baptist, by King Herod. The Ethiopian New Year also honors the seasonal transition from the main rainy season to the bright and sunny seasons. The countryside turns into sheets of gold with daisies (አደይ አበባ) covering entire fields in rural areas with blooms at this time of year. It symbolizes new hopes and dreams for Ethiopians, orchestrated by the singing of unique songs by girls dressed in traditional clothes and giving bouquets of daisies to each household.

President Mulatu Teshome gave a keynote address to the nation, expressing his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous Ethiopian New Year. The President said that the achievements gained over the past 25 years enabled the nation to set a hallmark for the nation’s journey towards achieving a middle-income economy by eliminating poverty. He noted that it was important in the New Year to sustain the achievements in social and economic sectors and make progress by helping the nation to effectively implement development programs. He added: “To discharge this national responsibility, it is our duty to safeguard the peace and stability of the country.” President Mulatu reiterated: “Any attempt to forward demands by use of force in unconstitutional ways is illegal.” He urged the public not to give a chance for activities aimed at the destruction of national resources and public property, or that might hinder the ongoing development programs of the nation or lead the nation back towards poverty and backwardness. He mentioned the government’s unstinting efforts to answer the demands of the public, and stressed that the government would provide solutions for these problems in accordance with the constitution and in collaboration with the public. The President recalled that Ethiopia was home for numerous different ethnic groups and religions. Sustaining co-existence among religions and ethnicities, he underlined, was critical for realizing the renaissance of the country. He disclosed that the government had granted amnesty to 707 inmates in federal prisons for the New Year.

The leaders of the various Christian denominations and the Islamic faith also extended their New Year best wishes to the peoples of Ethiopia. In his message, the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, Abune Mathias, urged the faithful to resolve disputes through dialogue and thereby ensure peace and stability. The President of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, Sheikh Mohammed Amin Jemal, underscored the need to nurture the culture of resolving disputes through peaceful means. The Archbishop of the Ethiopian Catholic Church, Cardinal Birhaneyesus Surafel, also emphasized the need to solve disagreements through peaceful means. The President of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, Dr. Wakseyoum Idossa said since peace was most important, the public should safeguard their efforts to achieve it. The Addis Ababa-based Ambassadors of different countries also extended their New Year wishes, expressing hope that bilateral relationships with Ethiopia would continue and expand throughout the Ethiopian year 2009.

The next day, September 12, also marked the popular holiday, the 1437th Eid al Adha festival, when Ethiopian Muslims across the nation commemorated the will of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.  Such a rare coincidence of the conjunction of these two holidays added an entirely new dimension to the Ethiopian New Year and to Eid al Adha.  Ethiopian Muslim leaders urged the Muslim community to celebrate the day with kindness and sense of mutual respect.  The President of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, Hajj Mohammed Amin Jemal, called on the Muslim community to support and share with each other while celebrating the day.

On the occasion of these two holidays, the Government Communication Affairs Office also urged all Ethiopians to maintain their unwavering commitment, as demonstrated in past years, to support the continuous development of the country. The Ministry expressed optimism that the people and government of Ethiopia would continue to work together to achieve the 2nd Growth and Transformation Plan. It called on all the people of the nation to uphold the implementation of the joint decisions of the government and the people during 2009.

Source: MFA Ethiopia / A Week in the Horn

Ethiopia expects to open its standard gauge railway line linking the capital Addis Ababa with the Red Sea state of Djibouti in October 2016.

This project is at the heart of plans to create new manufacturing firms in Ethiopia and to boost trade. The track covers 800 kilometres, and was built by the China Railway Corporation at a cost of $ 3.5 B. Girum Chala takes a ride on the soon-to-be-operating train.

Source: CCTV

On 7 September 2016, EU-focused website Euractiv published a baseless article suggesting the European Commission was considering to reduce its financial support to Ethiopia channeled through the EU Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) (“No Emergency Trust Fund money goes to Ethiopian government, Commission stresses”, 7 September 2016, euractiv.com).

The news article wrongly implies that the European Commission wants to avoid cooperating directly with the Ethiopian Government after the recent protests in the country, and provide development funding to non-governmental structures only. Furthermore, after reading this article, some readers could have the impression that the European Commission is withdrawing its financial development support and coming back on its commitment to work with the Ethiopian government.

To rectify these unsubstantiated claims, here are four facts that need to be taken into consideration:

1. The European Commission indeed implements projects under the EU Trust Fund (EUTF) through EU Member States Agencies, International Organizations, the private sector and non-governmental organizations for all of the 20 projects so far approved under the Horn of Africa window in December 2015 and April 2016. They comprise regional projects benefiting all IGAD countries and bilateral projects with Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Kenya and Uganda, in addition to Ethiopia. The decisions to implement all EUTF-funded projects according to those modalities goes back to the very start of the preparation of the EUTF. There is no singling out of Ethiopia.
2. Contrary to what the news article might suggest, there are currently no planned discussions to review or suspend any payments regarding the EUTF.
3. Even though Ethiopia is the largest beneficiary of EUTF funding in the Horn of Africa, the funding provided under this financial vehicle is significantly lower than the funding allocated by the EU under the National Indicative Programme with Ethiopia. To put it in perspective: over approximately the same period of time, the National Indicative Programme for Ethiopia is larger than the whole of the Horn of Africa window of the EUTF. Whilst the bilateral projects already approved for Ethiopia under the EUTF amount to EUR 97 million (in addition to those regional projects in which Ethiopia is an integral part thereof), the total financial envelop of the National Indicative Programme totals over EUR 700 million. The European Commission has signed the National Indicative Programme with the Government of Ethiopia, and in this framework projects are implemented through the signature of Financing Agreements, which foresee different implementation modalities consisting of various degrees of decentralization and use of Government’s structures. There is no plan to review these working modalities.
4. Projects under the EUTF are being implemented effectively. The EU Commission recently contracted the full call for proposals of RESET II under the EUTF, amounting to €44 million, and started to make the first disbursements to the partners who will implement it. At present, two out of the three EUTF-funded projects for Ethiopia (RESET II and the EUR 20 million SINCE with the Italian Development Cooperation) are contracted. The remaining EUR 30 million project on the Regional Development Programme for Ethiopia (to support long term needs of refugees and hosting communities in the Shire and Somali regions) is undergoing a competitive call for proposals. The applications from candidates are expected before the end of September, with contracting expected take place in November 2016.

Contact: info@ethiopianembassy.be / +32 2 771 32 94

With the new national tourism brand: “Ethiopia: Land of Origins,” and a sector marked with vast, and untapped potential, Ethiopia’s tourism industry is set to experience a huge metamorphosis as it builds its infrastructure, brand, and product offer in the coming years through both public and private efforts.

About 104 new tour operators have joined the country’s tourism industry in the concluded Ethiopian fiscal year, which is hoped to be a significant value addition to the sector.

During the same period, Ethiopia’s tourism sector generated 3.4 billion US dollars.

Tewolde Mulugeta, a Spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday (September 14, 2016) related that the new 104 tour operators helped the country to attract more tourists and further court foreign direct investment (FDI).
Board Chairperson of the Ethiopian Tourism Organization and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde Gebremariam, on his part said the economic diplomacy made in the past has paid off, adding that this had its own significant share in the growth of the tourism sector.

He further said the number of giant foreign companies and investors who visited Ethiopia last year surpassed from the target, of which he added, about 16 investors have already acquired licenses to invest in the country.

Out of the 1,021 small and medium size foreign companies and investors that explored investment opportunities in the country, over a quarter of them have secured license to engage in various investment sectors, he added.

Source: MFA Ethiopia