On January 12, 2018 Ambassador Teshome Toga met with Mr. Marc Angel, MP and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee at the Parliament of Luxembourg and Ms. Tania Tennia, Head of the International Department. The two sides discussed matters related to bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual concern of the two countries. During the meeting, Ambassador Teshome explained Ethiopia’s present socio-economic development and the measures taken by the government to widen the political space and forge national consensus emphasizing the recent decision of the government by terminating charges against some political leaders by pardoning some sentence prison terms.
He also stressed Ethiopia’s effort in maintaining regional peace and security and shouldering the responsibility lost of refugees. On his behalf, the chairman, appreciated the existing political diplomatic relationships and underscored the need to strengthen the economic relation between the two countries. The two sides have also briefed each other regarding outcome of AU-EU summit which took place on 29-30 November 2017 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire and underscored the need for political commitments to achieve the common priorities for the AU-Africa partnership in identified priority areas.
Later, the Ambassador had a discussion with Mr. Olivier Massart, Executive Director of ADA and discussed matters related particularly to the African Microfinance week which was held from 9-13 October 2017 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Mr. Massart presented on how his organization made the overall preparation in collaboration with the Ethiopian Embassy in Brussels and stakeholders in Ethiopia. He extended his heartfelt gratitude to Ambassador Teshome for his instrumental support given to his organization and devoted following up until the successful completion of the Conference which attracted over 600 participants from many countries. Amb. Teshome underlined the pivotal role played by the small and micro enterprise and the role in microfinance in mounting Ethiopia’s economy and enquired the support of the organization to strengthen the overall capacity together with the Ethiopian Federal Micro & Small Enterprises Development Agency.
On the same day, Ambassador Teshome also met with Mr. Diederick Zambon, Head of Division European Investment Bank. The discussion focused on EIB financed projects in Mojo leather industry city regarding its appraisal and of the approval of the project and status of leather industry value chain project launched as part of EU’s job compact. The two sides also exchanged ideas on the field visit organized for Board member of the Bank to Ethiopia and the possibility of hosting EIB Africa Day in Addis Ababa in 2018. Both sides also further discussed issues related to EIB’s challenge in accessing to local bids due to local procurement and production content.
Finally, with the view of strengthening the economic relationships of the two countries, Ambassador Teshome met with Mr. Daniel Sahr, Head of International Trade in Chamber of Commerce Luxembourg. The meeting was mainly stressed on identifying possible ways of engaging companies who went to Addis Ababa as part of the first pre-investment Mission to Ethiopia. The Chamber identified companies who have shown interest to consider investment in Ethiopia and finally, the two sides highlighted the need to engage in one on to one the interested companies to invest in Ethiopia.
On the following day, with the view of promoting the Ethiopian culture and its tourism destination to the Luxembourgish people, Ambassador Teshome took part in the LUXEXPO which was held on January 12-14 2018. At this event, the Embassy together with the Ethiopian Airlines promoted the Beautiful image of Ethiopia with a stand colorfully decorated Ethiopian accompanied by its peculiar coffee ceremony, cultural music and dances. The Luxembourgish Wort, placing Ethiopia’s stand image on its front cover page, reported that this year the visitors from Luxembourg and the surrounding counties increased by 6000 and the total has reached to 29,000 visitors.
