Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not reflect on the souring relation with Somalia
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Toronto – “Ethiopia’s diplomatic endeavors throughout the 2016 [2023/2024 G.C.] Ethiopian fiscal year were fruitful,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.
The statement is particularly attributed to Nebiyu Tedla, spokesperson, who spoke to journalists this past Thursday during a biweekly press briefing.
The spokesperson cited that high profile state visits were arranged and bilateral agreements signed :
“All the way from cultivating good neighborliness towards shared interests to enhancing participation in multilateral fora such as the African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa, Ethiopia has registered significant strides… several high-level visits were arranged and agreements signed in bilateral and multilateral venues to promote the national interest of Ethiopia,” The spokesperson is cited as saying in the Ministry’s latest update.
A total of 71 agreements were signed from diplomatic engagements from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States – it was said. Trade and Investment, culture, energy, agriculture and sports are highlighted as areas in which the agreements have been signed.
Despite the Ministry’s claim of success, the year was not without a diplomatic problem, which could have repercussions in other areas including security, for Ethiopia.
Prime Minister’s Abiy Ahmed’s declaration of intent to get access to the sea, which he made in October 2023, “by any means” brought Ethiopia on a collision course with its neighbors , namely Djibouti, Eritrea and Somalia.
Particularly, Ethiopia’s relation with Somalia deteriorated after Abiy Ahmed’ signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the breakaway region of Somaliland on January 1, 2024.
Based on the MoU, which is not yet finalized, Ethiopia was to get a 20 kilometers stretch of land for commercial purpose and as a military base on a fifty years contract basis. Somaliland, in addition to getting some economic benefits, was to be recognized as an independent state. The government in Somalia considered that as a violation of Somalia sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Turkey has initiated a mediation effort to resolve the difference between Ethiopia and Somalia. Foreign Minister’s of the two countries were in Ankara earlier and they had their first round of talk. They are scheduled to meet again in Ankara in September 2024.
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Source link : https://borkena.com/2024/07/20/ethiopias-diplomatic-endeavors-were-fruitful-ministry/?amp
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Publish date : 2024-07-21 02:29:31
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