- Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, H.E. Ambassador Dina Mufti, has presented the Ministry’s biweekly press briefing today (February 02) focusing on some of the notable diplomatic activities of the Ministry, Diplomatic Engagements with #Neighbouring and #NileBasin Riparian Countries, Various engagements by the Ministry and relevant bodies regarding issues related to #Tigray, including major activities related to #EconomicDiplomacy, #Citizencentred diplomatic activities and #capacity building. Please find the summary of the briefing below:
I. #DiplomaticActivities
• A three-day workshop regarding the Ethiopia-Sudan border issue was held in the presence of H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia. The meeting was concluded reaffirming Ethiopia’s commitment to resolve the issue peacefully through reactivating existing mechanisms for the re-demarcation process.
• H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia had a meeting with President-Designate of COP26 for climate change, Honourable Alok Sharma. Mr. Demeke reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to building Climate Resilient Green Economy.
• Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen bids farewell to outgoing US ambassador H.E. Michael Raynor appreciating his fruitful tenure that cemented relationships between the two countries.
• State Minister H.E. Tsion Teklu received copies of the credentials of Amb.-designate of Switzerland to Ethiopia, H.E. Tamara Mona. They discussed a range of issues, particularly on the need to cement relationships in trade & investment & cooperate on migration issues.
• State Minister H.E. Tsion Teklu received a copy of the credentials of the ambassador of Kenya to Ethiopia, H.E. Ambassador Jean Njeri Kamau. The two sides noted the need to exhaust opportunities to expand relations in trade, investment, tourism, & people-to-people engagements.
• State Minister H.E. Tsion Teklu received at her office H.E Ambassador Elhamdi Salah of Algeria to Ethiopia to discuss ways and means to foster the economic cooperation between Algeria and Ethiopia.
• H.E. Ambassador Hirut Zemene addressed the joint committees of Foreign Affairs and Development Committee of the European Parliament regarding the current situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region, and exchanged views with the members of the joint committees.
II. Diplomatic Engagements with #Neighbouring and #NileBasin Riparian Countries
• H.E. President Sahle-Work Zewde paid a working visit to the United Republic of Tanzania. During the discussions with President John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, the Presidents exchanged views on bilateral, regional, and continental issues. They highlighted the importance of enhancing the strategic partnership between the two countries. In line with this, the two presidents have agreed to hold the next joint-ministerial commission meeting in March or April of this year and to work closely in the many sectors including trade, investment, and aviation. It is to be recalled that Tanzania was the first riparian country to ratify the Comprehensive Framework Agreement (CFA) on the use of the Nile waters.
• H.E.Sahle-Work Zewde, President of the FDR of Ethiopia visited the DRC and held discussions with H.E. Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, President of the DRC. They discussed bilateral and regional issues. They, in particular discussed about the diplomatic representation of Ethiopia in the DRC. President Sahle congratulated H.E. Félix Antoine Tshisekedi as in few days he will receive the chairmanship of the African Union to from South Africa. President Sahle-work promised to bring him help, support and hospitality during her term at the head of the continental institution. In keeping with the principle of finding African solutions to African problems he will be presiding over the tripartite negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
• H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia received at his office, H.E. Mohamed Abdirizak, Minister of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia. Discussions included bilateral & regional issues of common interest.
• H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia and a special envoy to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, delivered H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s message to H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Kenya. On the occasion, the two sides exchanged views on bilateral and regional issues. The Ethiopian delegation also comprises State Minister, H.E. Ambassador Redwan Hussein and other senior officials.
III. Engagements and relevant activities regarding Situations in Tigray
• Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of H.E. Demeke Mekonnen participated in an online meeting facilitated by Atlantic Council-Africa Center to address current issues in the country and the region that concern the international community. His presentation clarified foggy issues and debunked unfounded claims over the objectives of the law enforcement operation and matters related to humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation efforts in Tigray, including the situation of IDPs and Eritrean refugees. Some members of the Biden administration were in attendance.
• Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, H.E. Demeke Mekonnen, briefs EU Ambassadors and representatives of European countries on the humanitarian assistance efforts underway in Tigray.
• President Sahle-Work met and discussed with High Commissioner for UNHCR Filippo Grandi regarding the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Tigray. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of H.E. Demeke Mekonnen also held a fruitful discussion with Filippo Grandi on the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Tigray and the situation of refugees. Mr. Grandi, accompanied by H.E. Muferihat Kamil, Minister of Peace H.E. Ambassador Redwan Hussien, State Minister of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia and Mr. Tesfahun Gobezay, Director General at Agency for Refugees and Returnees Affairs (ARRA) also visited Mai-Aini Refugee camp.
• UN Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security, H.E. Gilles Michaud discussed with government officials in Addis Ababa and Mekelle on speedy and secured delivery of humanitarian assistance in Tigray. He had discussions with Minister of Peace H.E. Muferihat Kamil regarding the provision of effective and secured delivery of humanitarian assistance in Tigray regional state. He also met State Minister, H.E. Ambassador Redwan Hussien to discuss issues related to the humanitarian operations in the region.
• The Ministry of Women, Children and Youth (MoWCY) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have announced that a special joint task force has been established to investigate claims of violence against women in Tigray
• ENDF announced that it has seized stock of pharmaceuticals plundered by the TPLF clique from various health facilities
IV. #Economic and #CitizenCentred Diplomacy
• Rising Ethiopia campaign has started its third phase by launching the Ethiopia Investment Promotion Weeks which will last from 1 Feb – 14 Feb 2021.State Minister Tsion Teklu and other high-level officials have presented remarks at the webinar that heralded the commencement of the third phase.
• The Embassy of Ethiopia in the Hague, Netherlands, in collaboration with key Ethiopian and Dutch stakeholders, hosted an investment opportunities promotion webinar on Ethiopia’s agriculture. The promotion webinar entitled “Ethiopia: Focus on Agricultural Investment” was attended by over 50 individuals composed of Dutch companies and sectoral associations, Dutch business promotion organizations and financial institutions, as well as government officials from Ethiopia and the Netherlands.
• Ethiopian Embassy in Seoul and companies in South Korea held a virtual discussion on investment opportunities with Ethiopian stakeholders.
• Ethiopian Embassy in Newdelhi in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and in the presence of State Minister H.E. Ambassador Misganu Arega, successfully conducted an online business promotion event. More than 130 Indian companies have participated in it.
• More than 900 Ethiopian citizens were repatriated from Saudi Arabia
V. #CapacityBuilding
• Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs standing committee of the House of Peoples’ Representatives of Ethiopia appreciated the 6 month performance of the Ministry and pointed out some issues that the Ministry has to deal with even to register a better performance.
•Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs standing committee of the House of Peoples’ Representatives of Ethiopia and some senior government officials are attending a 3-day seminar prepared by the Ministry that aimed at equipping the attendees with the major activities of various departments in the Ministry, including core issues in the country’s foreign policy.
MoFA
