Ambassadors, Mission Leaders Discuss Revised Foreign Policy (September 2, 2020)

Ambassadors and Mission Leaders who convened in Bishoftu town discussed on Tuesday the draft document of the revised Foreign Policy of Ethiopia.

In his opening remarks on the occasion, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia Gedu Andargachew highlighted the need to understand and exhaust ideas in the policy document before implementation.

Ambassador Dr. Markos Tekle briefed the audience on the need to revise the foreign policy of the country.

His presentation covered various elements that need consideration in designing a foreign policy document, with digital commerce receiving notable attention. Cross-border platforms — mobile lending services, super bowl betting apps used widely by diaspora communities, and cryptocurrency exchanges — all fall outside Ethiopia’s existing trade frameworks and illustrate why the policy revision is overdue.

Following the presentation, the meeting discussed questions and comments forwarded by the audience.

Relevant stakeholders will discuss the policy document before it is approved, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.