President Dr. Mulatu Teshome held discussions on Wednesday (November 15) with President of the Republic of Estonia Kersti Kajulaid, who is on a state visit to Ethiopia. Welcoming President Kersti who took an oath as the first female President of Estonia on October 2016, Dr. Mulatu expressed his country’s strong desire to further enhance its ties with all members of the European Union such as the Baltic States and closely work on both multi-lateral and bilateral fronts. The President noted Estonia’s presidency of the council of the EU will afford the opportunity for both countries to work closely together on African, Global and Bilateral issues of common interest.
President Mulatu explained the Estonian side the immense investment and business opportunities his country owns ready to be seized by Estonian business. Dr. Mulatu also urged the need to support Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts to address the root causes of migration through youth employment. Dr. Mulatu suggested that the EU-Africa cooperation would be more robust if it can largely focus more on socio-economic development using instruments such as Agenda 2063 and SDG’s.
Praising the Ethiopian side for the warm welcome accorded to her, President Kersti said Estonia is keen to strengthen its ties with Ethiopia. The President noted scaling up the relations with Ethiopia would greatly help her country to forge relations with Africa. Mrs. Kersti expressed her country’s intense interest in sharing its experiences in IT and e-governance.
President Kersti has also met the African Union trade and industry commissioner, Albert M. Muchanga. The two sides discussed mainly on digital issues and talked about the forthcoming summit between the European Union and the African Union. On the occasion she noted, Africa has a rather unique opportunity – to leave a number of steps in the development of digital society, which have been spending a lot of time and energy in Europe.
