The President expressed her joy in making Ethiopia her first destination after assuming her post and affirmed that the cooperation between the Commission and Ethiopia will continue.
In addition, she congratulated the Prime Minister for his recent Nobel Peace Prize recognition, according to the office of the Prime Minister.
Following the discussion, Ethiopia and the European Commission signed four agreements worth €170 million.
Ahmed Shide, Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen signed the financing agreements in support of political and economic reforms.
The €170 million package aims to support the country’s reforms and includes:
• €100 million for key economic reforms in the transport and logistics sectors; to boost regional competitiveness and facilitate Ethiopia’s trade and economic cooperation with neighbouring countries.
• €50 million to support the Government of Ethiopia’s Health Transformation Plan for three additional years (2020-2022). This programme aims to reduce inequalities, improve the quality of health facilities and reduce the financial barriers people face to access essential services.
• €10 million to support accountability and transparency during the 2020 elections in Ethiopia. This programme specifically aims at strengthening the technical and administrative capacity of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia, as well as its engagement with political parties, civil society and media. Germany will also add €10 million to this programme, bringing the overall support for it to €20 million.
• €10 million to improve the business climate in the country. As part of the Africa-Europe Alliance for sustainable investment and jobs, the EU is promoting private investment and supporting trade creation, economic integration and value chain development in partner countries, including Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is a key partner for the EU in the region. It has taken a leading role in promoting economic integration, peace and stability in East Africa, whilst implementing an ambitious national reform agenda.
The EU’s development cooperation with Ethiopia is one of the largest in Africa and in the world – amounting to €815 million for the period 2014-2020.
Moreover, the country is also one of the major beneficiaries of the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa – over €271.5 million for 2015-2019.
