Foreign Minister Dr. Tedros met High Representative for Foreign Affairs of EU, Ms. Federica Mogherini at his office today (April 7). The two sides discussed on issues of regional peace and security, migration, and the positive steps taken by the government of Ethiopia in solving internal problems. At the juncture, recalling this visit as her fourth leg in few months, Ms Mogherini said, “we have always said that Ethiopia’s role in Africa, particularly in the Horn of Africa, is key and that is why we needed strategic engagement with you.”
Ms. Moghereni noted, regarding migration, progresses are observed yet there remain complications and cautious cooperation is mandatory in tackling illegal migration. Ms. Moghereni appreciated the premeditated work that had been manifested in the form of Puntland’s full agreement in modalities of election in Somalia. Ms. Mogherini also asked for briefings of the recent progresses in South Sudan where Foreign Minister DR. Tedros, recalling “the good news” from the report of the Special Envoys for South Sudan, that First Vice President Designate Dr. Reik Machar would be in Juba in mid-April. High Representative Ms. Mogherini also personally reiterated EU’s President Jean Claude Juncker’s invitation to Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn to Brussels in June to participate at the opening of “Development Days.”
Foreign Minister Dr. Tedros, on his behalf, hailed the agreement in the State Capital of Garowe as landmark and a product of aggregate efforts of regional and international diplomats, including the EU. He added, “We trust Vision 2016 would be real.” He appreciated the way the High Representative and the EU have now clearly understood the now resolved Oromia unrest and noted that “positive steps are being taken.” He stressed that the engagement his government has with the EU would keep on being strong regarding not only on areas of peace, security and migration but also trade, investment and finance.
This article was originally published in The Ethiopian Messenger, the quarterly magazine of the Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels.
Louis Michel is chair of the newly established Ethiopia-European Parliament Friendship Group. We interviewed him on the occasion of the launching ceremony.
Ethiopian Messenger: When did your particular interest for Ethiopia start?
Louis Michel: I felt [late Ethiopian Prime Minister] Meles Zenawi had a vision, he was a Statesman who wanted to be very ambitious for his country. Very often in the [European] Parliament some voices are very strongly criticizing the system there. Of course, there is a lot to do to make progress. But all in all, when you see the particular difficulties, where [Ethiopia] is, and also its role for the stability in the region, it’s important to help them, and not just criticizing them, but also understand them. There is a reason why a group of friends in the European Parliament can help a lot, because we can speak frankly to them, we can speak in a very open-minded atmosphere, and we can listen to them, and they can listen to us. Of course there will be no subject, no issue, no topic which will not be discussed. We have just to listen, to see, and to try to convince. I remember, when I discussed with Meles Zenawi, and now with the Prime minister, I can speak in a very open way with these people, and they can listen to our arguments. And we have also to listen to their arguments. But all in all, when you see the progress that was made in this country the last years, I believe it is impressive, and we have to recognize that.
EM: What are the potentials of the relation between Ethiopia and the European Union?
LM: Ethiopia is the most important beneficiary of the public aid of the European Union, so the European Union is a main partner on development issues and also in economic issues, and I am even dreaming about a cultural relation with Ethiopia. You know that Ethiopia is a very rich country in the cultural field. We have to improve all this. We will have meetings together, we will invite them, they will invite us, we will try to work together, and we will try to pass ideas. We have to speak about democracy, but there is really a very important progress that was made on all these issues.
EM: There have been some sharp critiques towards Ethiopia coming from the European Parliament…
LM: Sometimes people are speaking very well about things they don’t know at all. When you want to give an opinion, a judgment, the first thing to do is of course to listen to the people, to learn [about] the situation, to see with your own eyes. Just having a kind of sensitivity, a kind of feeling with no arguments, based on rumors [is not enough]. Of course, there are things which are not acceptable but life is [about] correcting and making progresses, and they have made a lot of progresses [in Ethiopia].
EM: What is the overall aim of this friendship group?
LM: We have now to have an agenda, to regularly to meet together with topics on the agenda and with a real objective which is to have a mutual understanding, to be effective in our relations, and also to meet together, to discuss, to dialogue, to help them to make progress.
This article was originally published in the April 2016 issue of The Ethiopian Messenger, the quarterly magazine of the Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels.
Ethiopia has officially launched its campaign to secure a non-permanent seat in the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) for the period of 2017-2018. The African Union unanimously supports Ethiopia’s bid to represent the continent in the key international institution for worldwide security.
At a time where global security challenges abound and where the UN, and particularly the UNSC, needs structural reforms, Ethiopia’s solid record of continued contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security will certainly make a valuable addition to the Council and give a stronger voice to Africa on the world stage.
Commitment to multilateralism
Ethiopia’s belief in multilateralism is as old as the concept itself: as early as 1923, Ethiopia became a member of the League of Nations and was one of the 51 pioneer countries that founded the United Nations in 1945, at a time where the vast majority of African countries were still subjugated by colonial powers.
On the continent level, Ethiopia has always been a firm believer in bringing African countries together to guarantee peace on the continent. In 1963, Ethiopia played a critical role in the establishment of the Organization of African Unity, today the African Union, and has been hosting the African organization for more than 50 years. Moreover, Ethiopia more than fulfills one of the most important criteria for non-permanent seat in the Security Council stated in Article 23(1) of the Charter of the United Nations, which stipulates that “due regard should specifically be given, in the first instance, to the contribution of member states of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security”.
Throughout the years, Ethiopia has indeed demonstrated an unshakable commitment to collective security. Even though the country was abandoned by the Leagues of Nations when attacked by fascist’s Italy in 1935, the country has always responded to UN calls for collective action. Since the creation of the UN, Ethiopia has participated in dangerous missions, often taking the lead when other countries did not dare sending their soldiers. For example, Ethiopia sent peacekeeping troops in the civil war of Liberia, for which Ethiopian troops serving with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) were presented with UN Peacekeeping medals for their “invaluable contribution to the peace process” in November 2007.
The country also deployed a battalion in Rwanda from August 1994 to July 1995, in the immediate aftermath of the genocide, to help bringing peace and stability in the devastated country. Ethiopia’s most recent peacekeeping deployments have all been in the Sudans: to the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), the UN-AU Hybrid Mission to Darfur (UNAMID), the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), and the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). Outside of the UN, Ethiopia’s major significant deployment is in Somalia, where it maintains troops supporting Somali Government in the framework of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Ethiopia’s involvement in UN peacekeeping missions includes Ivory Coast, Burundi, Sierra Leone, and the list goes on.
Since the time of its first participations in the Korea war (1950-1953), Ethiopia involvement has deepened and improved. With a total of 8,326 peace-keepers deployed in some of the world’s most dangerous conflicts, Ethiopia currently ranks first in Africa and second in the world for its contributions to UN peacekeeping operations.
But the country’s involvement in peace and security goes beyond contributing troops. For years, Ethiopia has played a constructive role in the search for peaceful resolution of the conflicts that have affected the Horn of Africa, by making every effort to help restore peace and promote stability in Somalia and fighting terrorism in the region within the framework of the African Union. As Chair of the IGAD, Ethiopia was highly involved in the mediation efforts between the rival parties in South Sudan, which led to the signing of a peace agreement in August 2015.
The UNSC has fifteen members consisting of the five permanent members with veto power and 10 non- permanent members, which are
elected every two years and still yield important powers, as they get to vote, and have a say in major worldwide security issues.
Thanks to the AU’s enforcement, Ethiopia is running on a clean slate for the one seat allocated to the African Group in June 2016, and if elected, the country will certainly live up to African expectations. Ethiopia has been a constant advocate for Africa, consistently making sure the continent’s interests would be taken into account on the international stage on important issues such as migration, counter terrorism, climate change, sustainable development and poverty reduction.
Ethiopia’s participation would also help to fix the fundamental imbalance of the world’s security architecture: whereas some countries have spent several years in the UNSC, more than 60 United Nations Member States have never been Members of the Security Council.
Although a founding member of the United Nations, it should be noted that Ethiopia has served in the Council only twice in 70 years: the first time, in 1967-1968, at the time of the Empire, and the second time in 1989-1990, during the last years of the Derg’s regime. This means that despite its efforts and commitment, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was not yet involved in the key decision processes of worldwide security. Beyond questions of international balance or fairness, an Ethiopian participation at the UNSC would also prove that the concept of “African solutions to African problems”, promoted by the African Union and supported by the United States and the UN, is more than just a slogan.
As a country which managed to rebuild itself after a civil war and years of military rule, located in one of the most versatile regions of Africa, Ethiopia has against all odds successfully maintained its peace and stability. It is a country whose actions are turned inward as well as outward: its leadership knows very well that no country is an island, and that its own stability is intertwined with that of other countries of the region and of the world.
By voting in favor of Ethiopia, the member states of the United Nations would put on the Council a dedicated member of the international community which has both the strength and the know-how to be an advocate for pan- Africanism and multilateralism, and an international actor with a model and a vision.
Ethiopia will spare no efforts to promote world peace and security through dialogue and peaceful settlements of disputes and advocate the prevention of conflicts by strengthening all tools available at the UN, while promoting greater cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organizations. Faithful to its decades-long principles, the country will also enhance the role of regional and sub-regional institutions in improving collective security and contribute to the strengthening of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations by addressing the many challenges they face in our ever-changing global security environment.
This is important to consider in these trouble times, as the question of a transformation of multilateral institution is becoming increasingly important and that security challenges become more and more global, as proved by the rise of the Islamic State and the spillovers of regional crises.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia strongly condemns the barbaric and cowardly terrorist attacks that were carried out on 22nd of March 2016 in Brussels. The Ministry expresses its condolences to the Belgian people and government and more specifically to the families and friends of the victims of the attacks. The Ministry also wishes a prompt recovery to all the persons who were injured in the bombings. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Belgium.
On 3 March 2016, the EP-Ethiopia Friendship Group was officially launched in the presence of about 30 guests, including Members of the European Parliament, officials from the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS), as well as diplomats from several neighboring countries, ACP Secretariat and friends of Ethiopia. This event was organized by the Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels, in collaboration with the office of MEP Louis Michel, Co-Chair of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.
This launching comes at a critical time, as the European Union and Ethiopia just celebrated the 40th anniversary of their cooperation and partnership. The past months were marked by significant initiatives: on 11 November 2015, both partners signed a joint Declaration for a Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility (CAMM), reflecting the importance of Ethiopia as a key country to tackle irregular migration to Europe; EU High Representative for peace and security and VP, Federica Mogherini visited Ethiopia for the first time in October 2015, and Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom, in turn, visited Brussels in January 2016. Moreover, both parties agreed to elevate the level of their relation to a “Strategic Engagement”, the engagement declaration is expected to be signed in April 2016.
The aim of this friendship group is to maintain close cooperation and constructive dialogue with the European parliamentarians, to forge understandings and build consensus. In doing so, the EP would accompany Ethiopia constructively on its way towards strengthening of democracy and a better understanding of its endeavor and challenges.
There would also be an opportunity to share concerns and opinions with them about different issues, even the most difficult ones, such as human rights, fight against terrorism, peace and security, economic development, climate change and participation of civil society.
It is our firm believe that the launching of the friendship group will pave the way to a continuous dialogue between Ethiopia and representatives of the European people through regular meetings, exchange of information and visits in order to enhance people to people relations. The initiative was warmly welcomed by participants attending the event, who expressed their congratulations and stated that the group will be a way to implement a fruitful and respectful dialogue and cooperation between the European Parliament and Ethiopia. In his concluding remarks, MEP Louis Michel assured the participants that the group will certainly achieve its goals, evolve and develop in the future. The people and Government of Ethiopia seize this opportunity to thank the true friendship and partnership of Honorable Louis Michel to Ethiopia in particular and to Africa in general
On 5 March 2016, Ethiopian music, gastronomy, cinema, culture, films and the traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony will be presented to the Belgian and European public from 15 hrs to 20hrs at the Belgium Cultural Centre for Fine Arts (Bozar).
This event is organized by the Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels in collaboration with Bozar, the Belgo-Ethiopian Association and Ethiopian Airlines. The event will present the new and dynamic face of the Ethiopian cultural scene in Brussels, the capital of Europe and major center for arts. All throughout the day, the public will have the occasion to discover Ethiopia’s vibrant culture and to be immersed in the rich history of a country where the modern and the traditional coexist. During the event, the public will discover new things about Ethiopia and savor the culture and tradition of this country that is so rich in history whilst resolutely looking to the future.
This mini-festival is called “Addis” in reference to the name of the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa also known as the political capital of Africa since it hosts the third biggest diplomatic missions in the world, only after New York and Geneva and has been the seat of the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Addis Ababa means “New Flower” in Amharic which is the national working language of the country.
The day will feature various cultural activities such as degustation of delicious traditional dishes, Ethiopian Wine, a photo exhibition and Ethiopian alphabet writing. In the afternoon documentary film and concert will be shown. Jamming Addis (2014, 80′, English, written and directed by Dirk K. van den Berg) will give an insight about the new generation of young Ethiopian musicians who make contemporary Ethiopian dance.
The evening will be enlightened by the concert of the popular ethio-jazz band, Addis Acoustic Project. The guitarist Girum Mezmur with Ethiopia’s finest musicians will present the popular songs of the past and the contemporary makeover. Ethio-jazz is a blend of jazz, Latino, and pop, mixed with traditional Azmari music.
This event will be an opportunity for the Belgo-Ethiopian Association to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The Belgo-Ethiopian Association aims to build bridges to the people to people relations between Belgium and Ethiopia in different fields including culture, music and tradition. It intends to shed a positive light on Ethiopia and to inform people from different horizons about the present development potentials of the country.
The Centre for Fine Arts (Bozar) first opened its doors in the heart of Brussels in 1928 with the goal of providing a “total experience” of a wide variety of arts ranging from music to plastic arts, cinema and performance. It is the largest and most prestigious cultural center in Belgium and the oldest of its kind in Europe.
Similarly, on 16 March, 2016 Ethiopia’s first-ever Cannes “Official Selection” drama titled ‘Lamb’ directed by Yared Zeleke will be shown at Bozar at 20:00. The Embassy along with the above mentioned organizers of the event, cordially invites the public to attend these programs to experience the true authenticity of Ethiopia’s cultures mosaic and unique melody.
On 5 March 2016, Ethiopian music, gastronomy, cinema, culture, films and the traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony will be presented to the Belgian and European public from 15 hrs to 20hrs at the Belgium Cultural Centre for Fine Arts (Bozar).
This event is organized by the Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels in collaboration with Bozar, Belgo-Ethiopian Association and Ethiopian Airlines. The event will present the new and dynamic face of the Ethiopian cultural scene in Brussels, the capital of Europe and major center for arts. All throughout the day, the public will have the occasion to discover Ethiopia’s vibrant culture and to be immersed in the rich history of a country where the modern and the traditional coexist. During the event, the public will discover new things about Ethiopia and savor the culture and tradition of this country that is so rich in history whilst resolutely looking to the future.
This mini-festival is called “Addis” in reference to the name of the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa also known as the political capital of Africa since it hosts the third biggest diplomatic missions in the world, only after New York and Geneva and has been the seat of the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Addis Ababa means “New Flower” in Amharic which is the national working language of the country.
The day will feature various cultural activities such as degustation of delicious traditional dishes, a photo exhibition and Ethiopian alphabet writing. In the afternoon documentary film and concert will be shown. Jamming Addis (2014, 80′, English, written and directed by Dirk K. van den Berg) will give an insight about the new generation of young Ethiopian musicians who make contemporary Ethiopian dance.
The evening will be enlightened by the concert of the popular ethio-jazz band, Addis Acoustic Project. The guitarist Girum Mezmur with Ethiopia’s finest musicians will present the popular songs of the past and the contemporary makeover. Ethio-jazz is a blend of jazz, Latino, and pop, mixed with traditional Azmari music.
This event will be an opportunity for the Belgo-Ethiopian Association to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The Belgo-Ethiopian Association aims to build bridges to the people to people relations between Belgium and Ethiopia in different fields including culture, music and tradition. It intends to shed a positive light on Ethiopia and to inform people from different horizons about the present development potentials of the country.
The Centre for Fine Arts (Bozar) first opened its doors in the heart of Brussels in 1928 with the goal of providing “total experience” of a wide variety of arts ranging from music to plastic arts, cinema and performance. It is the largest and most prestigious cultural center in Belgium and the oldest of its kind in Europe.
Practical information & tickets please visit: bozar.be or Contact info@ethiopianembassy.be // +32 2 771 32 94
On 25 October, the Council of the European Union adopted its Horn of Africa Regional Action Plan 2015-2020. EU Foreign Affairs Council for Development said that “This Regional Action Plan reasserts the importance which the EU attaches to continuing close co-operation with partners across the region in using all available instruments to support and encourage peace, stability, sustainable growth and prosperity throughout the Horn of Africa.” The Council also expressed readiness to continue working closely with countries and regional organizations such as the Gulf Cooperation Council and the African Union in support of efforts to achieve peace, security and development in the Horn of Africa. It said “While the Gulf States have always had interests in the Horn of Africa due to their geographic proximity, the politics and security of the Horn of Africa are today increasingly and visibly intertwined with those of the Arabian Peninsula and Egypt.” It also mentioned the recent crisis in Yemen as affecting the security of northern Somalia and the geopolitical position of both Sudan and Eritrea.
The Horn of Africa Regional Action Plan outlines the EU’s approach to address key issues throughout the region. It calls for the EU to give priority to regional security and stability, migration and forced displacement, counter-radicalization and violent extremism, youth and employment, and human rights, rule of law and democratic governance. It says eradication of poverty is a precondition to addressing these challenges effectively and that will remain the central objective of the EU’s development co-operation. The Council said addressing these challenges would require interventions in peripheral regions and across borders, and will demand a better synchronized approach to political, development, economic, migration, gender-based and security aspects. The Action Plan will be implemented through the EU Trust Fund to be presented at the Valletta Summit on Migration on November 11 to 12.
On 20 October 2015, Foreign Minister, Dr Tedros Adhanom met with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Federica Mogherini. Ms. Mogherini visited Ethiopia as part of the occasion of the 40th anniversary of EU-Ethiopia relations. Ms. Mogherini noted that the EU and Ethiopia relations during this period had encompassed humanitarian, developmental, and political areas as well as peace and security. She stressed the EU’s desire to further invest in its relationship with Ethiopia, noting in particular the importance of putting in place a mechanism for high–level political dialogue.
Discussing the current humanitarian situation in drought-affected areas in Ethiopia, Ms. Mogherini noted the EU’s readiness to support the efforts of the Ethiopian Government. In relation to business and economy, Ms. Mogherini noted that “EU is a top trade partner with Ethiopia and we wish to see it grow even more”. She suggested hosting an Ethiopia-EU business forum. She also emphasized the EU’s interest to work with Ethiopia on climate change for the upcoming Paris Climate Change Conference of Parties. With regard to migration and mobility, Ms. Mogherini noted that EU firmly believed that the upcoming Valeta Conference would have an important role to define the structures and institutions of Africa and Europe and design effective intervention to tackle irregular migration. She also noted the EU’s desire to work with Ethiopia on supporting returnees, dismantling human trafficking networks and providing awareness-creation programs.
Dr Tedros thanked the EU for its support to Ethiopia’s peace and security efforts in Somalia, in South Sudan and the region in general. He highlighted the strong trade partnership Ethiopia enjoyed with the EU, agreeing that, given the potential much needs could be done. He welcomed the idea of hosting a business forum. He thanked the EU for its 745 million Euro support and emphasized the need for EU to consider support for Ethiopia’s major projects. He also discussed Ethiopia’s challenges in regulating migration as it is a country of origin, transit and destination. He welcomed the EU’s desire to support Ethiopia’s efforts to address the root cause of migration, the fight against poverty. He also noted that Ethiopia’s National Council against Human Trafficking was working on addressing attitudinal problems by creating awareness of the dangers of irregular migration. He pointed out that Ethiopia was pushing hard to create jobs through increasing productivity and small holder farmers, and boosting Small and Microfinance projects.
Louis Michel: I felt [late Ethiopian Prime Minister] Meles Zenawi had a vision, he was a Statesman who wanted to be very ambitious for his country. Very often in the [European] Parliament some voices are very strongly criticizing the system there. 
