Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn said activities are underway to realize country’s structural economic transformation.

As part of the move, the premier laid a cornerstone on Thursday for the construction of Bure Integrated Agro-Industrial Park in southwest of the Amhara state.

Speaking at the occasion, Prime Minister Hailemariam said the park would bring  immense benefits for the farmers of the state.

He also noted that efforts are underway to create a strong link  between the agriculture and industry sectors.

The Premier also urged pertinent stakeholders to exert joint efforts in providing the needed input  for the park.

Amhara State Chief  Gedu Andargachew for his part expressed readiness to provide the necessary support for the park.

Upon completion, Bure Park will have 60 factories with a combined capacity of earning over 14 billion Birr annually.

Article by Yohannes Jemaneh, The Ethiopian Herald

State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Aklilu Hailemikael met with Chief of Cabinet of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mr. Ovais Sarmad on the margins of the 28th AU Summit on Tuesday (January 31, 2017), during which the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to advance cooperation in areas of engaging the Diaspora to national development, and boosting partnership on migration management, and mitigation of Climate Change.

State Minister Dr. Aklilu commended IOM’s contribution to Ethiopia’s efforts of engaging the Diaspora to national development, particularly noting the organization’s support in the formulation of Ethiopia’s Diaspora Engagement Policy.

The Organization is working closely with Ethiopia in the efforts of actively involving the Diaspora in the economic development of the country through investment, technology and skills transfer, remittances, and image building of their country, Dr. Aklilu noted.

He said IOM has the potential to work closely with Ethiopia in the country’s New Diaspora Mapping project implementations. He pointed out that Diaspora engagement brings comprehensive development and well-being to a country as well as generates benefit for the Diaspora themselves.

Mr. Ovais Sarmad praised the support the Government of Ethiopia extended in the implementation of IOM’s Projects. He said, “We acknowledge the support and cooperation we have with Ethiopia.”

He added IOM is currently working in concert with the Government of Ethiopia in areas of Diaspora engagement, migration and management of displaced people and repatriation of citizens.

The two sides also shared global best experiences in engaging Diaspora to national development, among which the experiences of Mexico and India were taken note of.

Under-Secretary General and Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibe upon meeting Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu in Addis Ababa on the margins of the 28th AU Summit on Tuesday (January 31, 2017) praised Ethiopia’s achievements in the health sector.

During their discussion, Mr.Sidibe appreciated Ethiopia for closely working with UNAIDS and noted that the country’s achievements in the health sector, particularly meeting the health-related Millennium Development Goals was significantly commendable.

He also reiterated his Organization’s commitment to continue to support Ethiopia in a bid to help the country meet the globally set plan of ending AIDS epidemic in 2030. Dr. Workineh on his side thanked UNAIDS for the support it has been offering to Ethiopia in the purduit of containing the AIDS epidemic. In such regards, the Minister mentioned Ethiopia’s health policy and particularly its preventive strategy.

The two sides have agreed to boost their collaboration against ending AIDS by 2030.

 

The Ethiopian Embassy, together with Ethiopian Airlines and five tour operators from Ethiopia are promoting Ethiopia at the Brussels holiday fair “Salon des Vacances”. On the 2nd of February, the Ethiopian stand was officially inaugurated jointly with the Embassy and Ethiopian Airlines.

Five Ethiopian Tour Operators are promoting the country for Belgian tourists and tourism professionals: Karibu Ethiopia Tour, Off-Track Ethiopia Tour & Travel, Tema Tour Ethiopia, Vast Ethiopia Tour And Walk In Ethiopia.

Ethiopia expressed its strong commitment towards strengthening its role on climate change at the Committee of African Heads of State on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) meeting held today (January 31) on the sidelines of the 28th AU Summit.

Ethiopia noted its readiness to work on the speedy implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement (COP 21) entered into force in November 2016.

The country has dedicated particular emphasis on mitigation adaptation, climate financing, capacity building and transfer of
technology. It was noted, as Ethiopia is among the most vulnerable countries to the negative consequences of climate change, it is playing a big role in Climate Vulnerable Forum which aims to increase the presence and visibility of member states at international, regional and domestic levels.

It was also made clear that Ethiopia strongly advocates the importance of taking urgent actions to address the negative effects of climate change. On the occasion, two new initiatives that would see a “unified Africa” diversify its sources of funding to confront climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions were adopted.

Tabled by the outgoing Coordinator of CAHOSCC, President Abdelfetah El Sisi, the adoption of the initiatives was praised as a big step in creating ownership under the African Union framework. The two initiatives are African Adaptation Initiative (AAI) and African Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI).

Given Climate Change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world, with Africa already experiencing some of the most severe impacts, the continent’s leaders have proactively responded with the establishment of the Committee of Africa Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) to influence global negotiations.

Source: MFA Ethiopia

French Ambassador to Ethiopia, Frederic Bontems upon meeting with State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Aklilu Hailemichael on 20 January 30, 2017 underscored that it was imperative to have Ethiopia on board on various international issues. The Ambassador added that Ethiopia’s role in promoting regional peace and stability is inimitable.

The two sides discussed at length on bilateral and regional as well as international issues of mutual interest. State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Aklilu Hailmichael highlighted the strong and longstanding relations between Ethiopia and France and stressed the importance of further strengthening and cementing this outstanding relationship.

The State Minister has also expressed his deepest gratitude for the support France has shown to Ethiopia’s bid for a non-membership at the United Nations Security Council.

Ambassador Frederic Bontems has also commended the strong partnership between the two countries and avowed to exert every effort to further strengthen and nurture the already strong bilateral relations.

The two sides also agreed to communicate on the follow up of the Final Declaration of the Bamako France- Africa Summit for further
partnership in the area of peace and emergency.

Source: MFA Ethiopia

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres commended Ethiopia’s positive role in the maintenance of peace and security in the Horn of Africa region; also hailed the country’s exemplary role in hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees from neighboring countries.

The Secretary-General who met with Prime Minister Hailemariam on 29 January 2017 in Addis Ababa on the sidelines of the 28th African Union Summit said the fact that Ethiopia is a peaceful and stable nation offers hope for the efforts of promoting peace and security in the region.

Gutteres underlined that Ethiopia’s efforts in maintaining peace and stability, particularly in South Sudan, Somalia, the IGAD region as well as in the African continent has been significantly useful.

The Secretary-General also hailed Ethiopia for upholding an open-door policy for refugees, whom he said are here because the peace and stability in Ethiopia has been the source of their guarantee.

Prime Minister Hailemariam expressed his hope that the UN would continue to support Ethiopia’s efforts of in the maintenance of peace and security in the sub-region and beyond.

Secretary-General Gutteres on his part reassured the Premier that the UN remains committed to extend support in such score.

 

In a meeting held between Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu and Koen Vervaeke, Managing Director for East Africa at the European External Action Service (EEAS) on Friday (January 28, 2017), the two sides affirmed the need to forge strategic engagements to further bolster long standing ties. The Managing Director, Koen Vervaeke, mentioning the Strategic Engagement signed on June, 2016 between the two sides called for more dialogues for effective implementation. Mr. Koen underlined the need to work closely so as to best exploit the 5th Summit is scheduled to take place in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on 28-29 November 2017. He noted that the Africa-EU Partnership is adapting to the changing realities through constant formal dialogue between African and European counterparts at different levels. EU-Africa Summits of Heads of States and Governments take place every three years alternatively in Africa and Europe. These Summits take stock of the progress made in the implementation of commitments made and provide political guidance for further work. On the Occasion, Mr Koen praised the many bold moves taken by the government of Ethiopia in addressing the problems in some parts of Oromia and Amhara Regional States some few months ago.

Dr. Workneh said, “We greatly value the notable relationship we have with the European Union.” Regarding the government’s effort to put in place necessary conditions to bring the country to normalcy and tranquility, the Foreign Minister noted that along with the positive effect garnered from the State of Emergency the deep reforms would surely have far reaching positive socio-political and economic changes on the wider public. He mentioned the government’s solid commitment to address legitimate grievances of different segments of the society, particularly the deep seated problems within the youth, unemployment. Dr. Workneh pointed out the recent endeavor by the government in preparing inclusive dialogues with different political parties and mentioned innovative schemes and upgraded codes of ethics mapped out by the government to incorporate and encourage new political parties to join the political field.

The two sides also discussed on pressing regional issues giving particular emphasis on the election in Somalia. Dr. Workneh would make his trip to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium making his first trip to Europe as a Foreign Minister since he assumed power in October.

Foreign Minister, Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu held bilateral meeting with Ms. Karen Elleman, Minister for Equal Opportunities and Nordic Cooperation of Denmark and Special Representative for the Danish Candidature for the UN Human Rights Council 2019-21 in Addis Ababa on the side lines of the 30th Ordinary session of the Executive Council of the Africa Union on Thursday 26 January 2017.

On 20 December 2016, the Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels interviewed Mr Koen Doens, Director at the European Commission’s International Development Department, Southern, Eastern Africa and Indian Ocean. During the discussion, Mr Koen Doens assessed the 40-year old EU-Ethiopia relationship, its pillars and challenges, as well as current policy frameworks such as the Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility and the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa. Finally, he gave his views on the future of the ACP-EU relations.