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The Ethiopian Messenger − 2nd issue

ውድ አንባብያን

የመጀመርያው የመልእክተ ኢትዮጵያ እትማችን በአንባቢዎች ዘንድ ጥሩ ተቀባይነት ማግኘቱ ከደረሱን መልእክቶች ማረጋገጥ የቻልን ሲሆን፣ 2ኛው እትም ስናቀርብላችሁም የመረጥናቸው ርእሰ ጉዳዮች እንደምትወዱዋቸው በመተማመን ነው፡፡

በዚህ እትም በኢትዮጵያ እና አውሮፓ ህብረት መካከል እየተጠናከረ ስለመጣው ግንኙነት፣ በቅርቡ የተመሰረተው የአትዮጵያ አውሮፓ ፓርላማ የወዳጅነት ቡድን ሊቀመንበር ከተከበሩ ሊዊ ሚሸል ጋር ያደረግነው ቃለ ምልልስ፣ አገራችን የተባበሩት መንግስታት የጸጥታው ምክር ቤት ተለዋጭ አባል እጩነት እና በቅርቡ በአንዳንድ የኦሮምያ አካባቢዎች ስለተከሰተው ግጭት ትንተና አቅርበናል፡፡

በተመሳሳይ የአገራችንን የኢንዱስትሪ እቅዶች ከማሳካት አኳያ ከፍተኛ ሚና ያላቸው የኢንዱስትሪ ፓርኮች ምስረታ፣ በአገራችን ስለተከሰተው ድርቅ፣ የአገራችን የቱሪስት መስህቦች እንዲሁም በኢትዮጵያ እና ቤልጅየም ከፍተኛ ትምህርት ተቋማት መካከል ስላለው ትብብር የሚዳስሱ ጽሑፎች አቅርበንላቹሃል፡፡

መልካም ንባብ እንዲሆንላችሁ እየተመኘን፣ በእትሞቻችን ላይ ያላችሁን አስተያየት፣ በመጽሔታችን ጽሑፎች እና መልእክቶች ማውጣት የምትፈልጉ እንደተለመደው በኤምባሲያችን አድራሻ እንድታደርሱን እንጋብዛለን፡፡

የአርትኦት ኮሚቴ

Dear Reader,

We are happy to print this second issue of our Embassy’s magazine. The first issue has raised a lot of interest among our readers. We are happy and proud that our “Ethiopian Messenger”, which is bringing news to Europe about the fast-developing Ethiopia, has accomplished its task.

In this issue, you will read about the continuing momentum between the European Union and Ethiopia with the launching of the Ethiopia-European Parliament Friendship group which will, as H.E. Louis Michel said, help a lot for the relations between the two partners.

You will also have background insights on different topics: Ethiopia’s candidacy to the UNSC, recent events in the Oromia region, the drought situation of Ethiopia, the development of industrial parks, the tourism potential of the Simien Mountain National Park as well as the cooperation between Ethiopia and Belgium in the field of higher education.

We hope you will enjoy reading this magazine. Please contact us to contribute to the next issue! We are also looking forward to receive your feedback.

The Editorial Team

Content

  • Forging Dialogue Between Ethiopia & the European Parliament
  • Interview with H.E. Louis Michel
  • Ethiopia’s Candidacy to the UNSC
  • The Demonstrations in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia
  • Ethiopia’s Diversified Climates
  • Industrial Parks Development in Ethiopia
  • Ethio-Belgian Collaboration in Higher Education
  • A visit to the Simien Mountains National Park
  • የዳያስፖራ ፖሊሲ

Read the full magazine: http://ethio.be/EthiopianMessenger2

The-Ethiopian-Messenger-2

Statement on Joint Government of Ethiopia and Humanitarian Country Team Drought Response Campaign

On 11 April, 2016, Ethiopia Satellite Television (ESAT) released a news item claiming that the Ethiopian government had stopped the fundraising campaign by UN agencies. According to the report, this message was conveyed in a meeting between a representative of United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Special Envoy for the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Ambassador Behane Gebrekiristos. OCHA Ethiopia hereby states strongly that the story is false. OCHA did not speak to this media house and the government never told OCHA to stop the campaign.
OCHA greatly appreciates the close collaboration between the Government of Ethiopia and humanitarian partners to ensure timely and appropriate response to those affected by the El Niño-driven drought in the country.

Ethiopia is contending with one of the most serious climatic shocks in recorded history. More than ten million people in the country remain severely food insecure due to lost harvests and livestock as a result of consecutive failed rains in 2015. Whilst the Government and the international community have already provided more than $800 million in emergency funding, which has helped alleviate the suffering of many, critical gaps remain. This is why the Humanitarian Country Team in collaboration with the Government of Ethiopia launched a 90-Day Campaign on March 23, 2016 with the aim to urgently raise funds and in-kind support to address the significant life-saving gaps. The 90-Day campaign recognizes that urgent and substantial funding is required to address current needs and protect the development gains the Government and its development partners have worked tirelessly to build up over decades.

Issued 28 April 2016, by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA); Ethiopia

http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/OCHA%20Statement%20on%20Joint%20Ethiopian%20Government%20and%20Humanitarian%20Partners%20Drought%20Campaign.pdf

OCHA Statement on Joint Ethiopian Government and Humanitarian Partners Drought Campaign

H.E. Ambassador Teshome Toga met with Rector of Namur University Prof. Poullet

H.E. Ambassador Teshome Toga visited the University of Namur, which is located in the french-speaking Wallonia region of Belgium and held a useful discussion with the rector of the University, Professor Yves Poullet, with staff of the University and Ethiopian students who are currently studying in the university.

The objective of the meeting was to explore ways to establish an enhanced academic collaboration between the university of Namur and a selection of Ethiopian universities for the mutual academic and research benefit. The Embassy had a very useful discussion on these topics with the University.

So far, the university of Namur has provided 25 scholarship to Ethiopian students, mainly at masters level and a few PhDs.

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Pictures © University of Namur

Local EU Statement on the Attack of Civilian Ethiopians in Jikawo, Gambella Region on 15 April 2016

The European Union Delegation issues the following statement in agreement with the EU Heads of Missions in Ethiopia (20 April 2016) A criminal attack on 15 April launched by armed elements from South Sudan on Jakawo, Gambella region, Ethiopia, led to the loss of over two hundred lives on the Ethiopian side and over one hundred Ethiopian children have been abducted.
The EU expresses its condolences to the families of the victims and calls for the South Sudanese authorities to ensure the immediate return of the abducted children to their families and that those responsible for this act of violence are held accountable. This attack is a tragic reminder of the need to achieve lasting peace, justice and rule of law in South Sudan.

Jean Paul Blavier: “Investors’ interest for Ethiopia is growing”

According to Jean Paul Blavier, ‪Ethiopia is attracting more and more investors. Several factors explain this interest: local infrastructure, potential of the Ethiopian and regional markets, geographic location of the country, reliability of the local work force as well as government tax incentives and political stability. We interviewed Jean Paul Blavier on the 11th of February to know more about his assessment of the private sector opportunities in Ethiopia and to ask him a few advices he could give to investors. Jean Paul Blavier worked as Ethiopia Country Manager for the Castel group, and is now consultant in Belgium for private companies and public organizations involved in the Ethiopian business sector.

Government expressed deep sorrow over the killing of 208 civilians

The Government of Ethiopia expressed it deep sorrow over the killing of 208 civilians. Armed militants of South Sudan’s Murle tribe infiltrated into Ethiopia on Friday, and attacked 13 kebeles in Anuak and Nuer Zones of the Gambella Regional State, killing 182 civilians so far. The total number of death reached 208 including those killed last month. According to Government Communication Affairs Office (GCAO), the group also kidnapped 100 children and looted more than 2,000 cattle. GCAO Minister, Getachew Reda disclosed on Saturday (April 16, 2016) that the Ethiopian Defense Force has continued with its military operation to release children kidnapped from districts in the regional state of Gambella. He said security forces were chasing the attackers and had killed 60 so far. GCAO related that measures by the defense force have been intensified to locate and release the children. Some 11 armaments of the attackers have been seized and a team of medical personnel have been dispatched to help treat the civilians wounded in the attack, it added.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia now has a blog

The official blog of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia is meant to provide an additional discussion platform for diplomats, officials, writers, scholars and academics to engage in dialogue and share views on issues relevant to Ethiopia and Ethiopian Foreign Policy. As a corollary to this objective, the blog has a purpose of fostering the culture of writing and debating on foreign policy issues more importantly among young diplomats. The blog, thus, being a convenient platform, diplomats in particular are encouraged to write on foreign policy issues of relevance to Ethiopia and contribute to the overall effort in promoting Ethiopia’s foreign policy goals. Contributions published under this blog are published under the name of the author who remains responsible for their contents. Blog posts represent only those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.

Visit the blog now: https://ethiopiandiplomacy.wordpress.com

EU boosts aid to Ethiopia amid worsening drought

Brussels, 8 April 2016

The European Commission announces €122.5 million to help Ethiopia deal with a deteriorating humanitarian situation caused by the El Niño extreme weather phenomenon.

Today the European Commission has announced €122.5 million for Ethiopia to address the immediate needs of people affected by the worsening humanitarian situation caused by one of the most severe extreme El Niño weather phenomenon on record. This new support aims to combine a humanitarian response and early recovery assistance with initiatives that address the root causes of fragility and vulnerability.

European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides stated: “With over 10 million people currently struggling to find food, the humanitarian situation is very worrying. The EU is taking action; our new support will allow us to step up our efforts to help the most vulnerable in Ethiopia.” 

European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica also said: “Our support aims at combining short-term lifesaving with strengthening Ethiopia’s resilience by addressing the root causes of fragility and vulnerability. We can build on the past successes of Ethiopia which has already stepped up its efforts to tackle the drought crisis.”

Commissioners Mimica and Stylianides are currently in Ethiopia in the framework of the College to College (C2C) conference taking place in Addis Ababa, where Commissioners from the European Union and the African Union are meeting. Today Commissioners Mimica and Stylianides together with Vice-President responsible for the Euro and Social Dialogue, Valdis Dombrovskis and Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Marianne Thyssen visited one of the worst hit areas in Ethiopia, Dire Dawa, to assess the humanitarian situation.

 

Background

What is ‘El Niño’?

The extreme phenomenon is characterised by rising temperatures of surface sea water, which interact with the atmosphere and cause different extreme events, from floods to droughts. While El Niño has global effects, it is particularly affecting large regions of Africa with both floods and droughts. This strongly impacts food security, health, and access to water and hygiene conditions of millions of people living in already vulnerable regions. The worst-hit country so far is Ethiopia.

The new EU funding comes on top of a first El Niño emergency package announced in December last year that consisted of €79 million for the Greater Horn of Africa region and from which nearly €43 million will benefit Ethiopia.

 

EU support to Ethiopia

The EU has been providing both emergency humanitarian funding and long term development support to Ethiopia cope with these various challenges. It has provided over €200 million in humanitarian aid in the last five years. Ethiopia is also the largest beneficiary of EU development assistance, with a country programme of €745 million for 2014-2020 (through the 11th European Development Fund.) Out of this amount a total of €252 million has been provided to finance food security, sustainable agriculture and to fight climate change.

The support is coherent with the EU Resilience Approach that combines a humanitarian response with initiatives that addresses the root causes of fragility and vulnerability.

Source: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-1292_en.htm

Foreign Minister Dr. Tedros meets High Representative for Foreign Affairs of EU, Ms. Federica Mogherini

Foreign Minister Dr. Tedros met High Representative for Foreign Affairs of EU, Ms. Federica Mogherini at his office today (April 7). The two sides discussed on issues of regional peace and security, migration, and the positive steps taken by the government of Ethiopia in solving internal problems. At the juncture, recalling this visit as her fourth leg in few months, Ms Mogherini said, “we have always said that Ethiopia’s role in Africa, particularly in the Horn of Africa, is key and that is why we needed strategic engagement with you.”

Ms. Moghereni noted, regarding migration, progresses are observed yet there remain complications and cautious cooperation is mandatory in tackling illegal migration. Ms. Moghereni appreciated the premeditated work that had been manifested in the form of Puntland’s full agreement in modalities of election in Somalia. Ms. Mogherini also asked for briefings of the recent progresses in South Sudan where Foreign Minister DR. Tedros, recalling “the good news” from the report of the Special Envoys for South Sudan, that First Vice President Designate Dr. Reik Machar would be in Juba in mid-April. High Representative Ms. Mogherini also personally reiterated EU’s President Jean Claude Juncker’s invitation to Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn to Brussels in June to participate at the opening of “Development Days.”

Foreign Minister Dr. Tedros, on his behalf, hailed the agreement in the State Capital of Garowe as landmark and a product of aggregate efforts of regional and international diplomats, including the EU. He added, “We trust Vision 2016 would be real.” He appreciated the way the High Representative and the EU have now clearly understood the now resolved Oromia unrest and noted that “positive steps are being taken.” He stressed that the engagement his government has with the EU would keep on being strong regarding not only on areas of peace, security and migration but also trade, investment and finance.

Source: MFA Ethiopia.

Louis Michel: “A Group of Friends in the European Parliament Can Help a Lot”

This article was originally published in The Ethiopian Messenger, the quarterly magazine of the Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels.

Louis Michel is chair of the newly established Ethiopia-European Parliament Friendship Group. We interviewed him on the occasion of the launching ceremony.

Ethiopian Messenger: When did your particular interest for Ethiopia start?

eueom_mali_150Louis Michel: I felt [late Ethiopian Prime Minister] Meles Zenawi had a vision, he was a Statesman who wanted to be very ambitious for his country. Very often in the [European] Parliament some voices are very strongly criticizing the system there. Of course, there is a lot to do to make progress. But all in all, when you see the particular difficulties, where [Ethiopia] is, and also its role for the stability in the region, it’s important to help them, and not just criticizing them, but also understand them. There is a reason why a group of friends in the European Parliament can help a lot, because we can speak frankly to them, we can speak in a very open-minded atmosphere, and we can listen to them, and they can listen to us. Of course there will be no subject, no issue, no topic which will not be discussed. We have just to listen, to see, and to try to convince. I remember, when I discussed with Meles Zenawi, and now with the Prime minister, I can speak in a very open way with these people, and they can listen to our arguments. And we have also to listen to their arguments. But all in all, when you see the progress that was made in this country the last years, I believe it is impressive, and we have to recognize that.

EM: What are the potentials of the relation between Ethiopia and the European Union?

LM: Ethiopia is the most important beneficiary of the public aid of the European Union, so the European Union is a main partner on development issues and also in economic issues, and I am even dreaming about a cultural relation with Ethiopia. You know that Ethiopia is a very rich country in the cultural field. We have to improve all this. We will have meetings together, we will invite them, they will invite us, we will try to work together, and we will try to pass ideas. We have to speak about democracy, but there is really a very important progress that was made on all these issues.

EM: There have been some sharp critiques towards Ethiopia coming from the European Parliament…

LM: Sometimes people are speaking very well about things they don’t know at all. When you want to give an opinion, a judgment, the first thing to do is of course to listen to the people, to learn [about] the situation, to see with your own eyes. Just having a kind of sensitivity, a kind of feeling with no arguments, based on rumors [is not enough]. Of course, there are things which are not acceptable but life is [about] correcting and making progresses, and they have made a lot of progresses [in Ethiopia].

EM: What is the overall aim of this friendship group?

LM: We have now to have an agenda, to regularly to meet together with topics on the agenda and with a real objective which is to have a mutual understanding, to be effective in our relations, and also to meet together, to discuss, to dialogue, to help them to make progress.