Members of the Diplomatic Community Briefed on the Preliminary Report on Ethiopian Airlines Accident (April 04, 2019

Members of the Diplomatic Community Briefed on the Preliminary Report on Ethiopian Airlines Accident (April 04, 2019)

Minister of Transport, H.E. Mrs. Dagmawit Moges along with State Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr. Markos Tekle briefed members of the diplomatic community on the preliminary report on Ethiopian Airlines accident of flight ET-302 this morning (April 4).
On the occasion, Minister of Transport, H.E. Mrs. Dagmawit Moges said the initial findings of the investigation showed that the crew performed all procedures repeatedly provided by the manufacturer but was not able to control the aircraft.
According to the report, the crew obtained the license and qualifications to conduct the flight and the takeoff role appeared very normal, she added.
The Minister also related that based on the findings of the investigation, the report recommended that the manufacturer review the aircraft flight control system related to the flight controllability.
The preliminary report also recommended aviation authorities to verify that the review of the aircraft control system related to flight controllability has been adequately addressed by the manufactures before release of the aircraft to operation.
State Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr. Markos Tekle, on his part, said the briefing session was organized with the view to relating the preliminary report primarily to members of the diplomatic community, whose citizens lost their lives in the tragic accident of flight ET-302.

President Sahle-Work Meets Leaders of Five African Countries (April 03, 2019)

President Sahle-Work Meets Leaders of Five African Countries (April 03, 2019)

President Sahle-Work Zewde met in Dakar leaders of five French-speaking African countries on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of Senegalese President Macky Sall.
She met President of Guinea Alpha Condé, President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire, Gambian President Adama Barrow, Liberian President George Weah and President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré of Burkina Faso.
During the meeting, they discussed on bilateral and regional issues of common interest, according to office of the President.
President Sahle-Work said Ethiopia is eager to further strengthen its relations with all African countries, including French-speaking African nations, through the joint commission established earlier with each country.
The leaders on their parts expressed their interest to scale-up the ties with Ethiopia as well as commended its effort to defend Africa’s interest at the global level.

President Sahle-Work Receives Armenia's FM (April 03, 2019)

President Sahle-Work Receives Armenia’s FM (April 03, 2019)

President Sahle-Work Zewde received Armenia’s Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan at the Presidential Palace today.
The two sides exchanged views on prospects of expanding bilateral agenda and importance of active Armenian community in Addis Ababa.
They also discussed on women’s irreplaceable role in society and policy making.
In a related development, Ethiopia and Armenia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish political consultation.
The MoU was signed by State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Markos Tekle and the visiting Armenian Foreign Minister, Mnatsakanyan.
Dr. Markos noted the historical ties between Ethiopia and Armenia, emphasizing on the need to strengthen relations in areas of trade and investment.
He further said Ethiopia is keen to forge cooperation with Armenia in a range of fields, including science and technology, health and education.
The State Minister also briefed the Armenian foreign minister on the sweeping reforms in Ethiopia as well as the winds of hope in the horn of Africa region.
Foreign Minister Mnatsakanyan, on his part, commended Ethiopia’s reform agenda and the country’s role in the promotion of regional peace and stability.
The Minister said his country is ready to share its experience to Ethiopia on education and especially on higher education innovation.
Taking note of Ethiopia’s bold initiatives taken to empower women to top executive positions, he related his country’s keenness to draw lessons from Ethiopia in this regard.
The Minister also revealed his country’s interest to open an embassy in Ethiopia in a bid to further strengthen the bilateral and multilateral ties between the two countries.
Ethiopia and Armenia have enjoyed over a century-old people-to-people relations. Armenia has played significant contributions in the modernization process of Ethiopia.

NATO Official Commends Ethiopia's Peace Efforts in Horn of Africa (April 03, 2019

NATO Official Commends Ethiopia’s Peace Efforts in Horn of Africa (April 03, 2019)

State Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Markos Tekle today received Mr. Jonathan Parish, Deputy Assistant Secretary General for NATO.
Dr. Markos appreciated the NATO-AU cooperation principally in areas of operational support, capacity-building, and sustaining the African Standby Force (ASF), while noting Ethiopia’s continued engagement in pacifying the Horn of Africa region.
Mr. Jonathan Parish commended the peaceful transition of power in Ethiopia, the sweeping reforms in the country, and the rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea as well as its peace dividend to the region.
He further underscored the importance of strengthening the NATO- AU cooperation for the peace and stability of continental Africa.
NATO has established a liaison office at AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in an effort to work more closely with its partners to tackle the peace and security challenges of the continent.

Culmination of review of one year journey of reforms taking place at Millennium Hall (April 02, 2019)

Culmination of review of one year journey of reforms taking place at Millennium Hall (April 02, 2019)

A culmination of review of the one year journey of reforms is currently taking place at the Millennium Hall.
Senior government officials, including Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed and Chief Administrator of Oromia regional state as well as invited guests are in attendance of the event.
One year ago today, Dr. Abiy Ahmed was sworn in as Prime Minister of Ethiopia.

Finalizing GERD key priority, says PM Dr Abiy (April 01, 2019

Finalizing GERD key priority, says PM Dr Abiy (April 01, 2019)

A review of the status of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) took place by the committees in the presence of Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed and Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen.
The review explored the status of the construction the dam, the status of trilateral negotiations, review of Nile Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) and the status of GERD filling, according to office of the Prime Minister.
In summarizing the status of GERD, the Project Manager Engineer Kifle Horo shared that at its current stage, civil work stands at 83%; electromechanical work at 25%; steel work at 13%, with overall project completion status at 66%.
GERD financing has consumed up to 98.7 billion birr to date, indicating an escalation of costs above what was originally estimated, primarily due to project completion delays.
In concluding the session, Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed emphasized that finalizing the dam is a key priority according to the timeline established.
Water, Irrigation, and Energy Minister, Dr Engineer Seleshi Bekele recently told the parliament that the 6,450-MW dam will start energy production in 2020.
GERD is located in Benishangul Gumuz regional state, approximately 500 km north west of the capital Addis Ababa.
Once completed, it will be the largest dam in Africa.

Community-based Climate Conference of LDCs kicks off in Ethiopia (April 01, 2019)

Community-based Climate Conference of LDCs kicks off in Ethiopia (April 01, 2019)

A community-based climate conference of Least Develop Countries (LDCs) organized with the objective of sharing experiences and understandings how communities can adopt to climate change kicked off Addis Ababa today.
Speaking at the opening of the conference, Chief Environment Officer of Bhutan and conference chairperson Tenzin Wangmo said the 13rd Annual Conference on Community-Based Adaptation (CBA) is a critical component for finding solutions for protecting communities and the environment from the impacts of climate change.
She added that the conference is expected to increase the desire of member states to mobilize their respective populations to create climate resilient society by 2020.
Climate change has been affecting the lives of hundred millions of people around the world and the global eco-system has suffered a huge loss due to the change in climate.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Commissioner, Fekadu Beyene said climate change needs global effort to address its adverse impacts as it is a global phenomenon that is currently imposing one of the biggest threats to the lives of the people.
“The impacts of climate change do not discriminate between the rich and the poor. However, the poor and the disadvantaged groups suffer most both in the short and long terms,” he noted.
Unless LDCs are engaged in building resilience and adapting capacity building programs, the commissioner said, adding that climate change will bring great loss to them. Hence, this requires a concerted effort by everyone.
Fekadu pointed out that experts, practitioners, government representatives, policy makers and donors participating in the four-day conference are expected to share their experiences and find resilient and sustainable solution for the adverse impact of climate change.

Danish Minister for Development Cooperation Commends Ethiopia’s Reform Agenda (March 28, 2019)

Danish Minister for Development Cooperation Commends Ethiopia’s Reform Agenda (March 28, 2019)

State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Hirut Zemene met with Danish Minister for Development Cooperation Ulla Tornaes, here today.
Mrs. Hirut expressed her satisfaction over the excellent partnership between Ethiopia and Denmark over the years, which she said, covered areas such as climate change, development cooperation, poverty reduction, migration and green economy.
The State Minister briefed the Danish Minister on the sweeping political and socioeconomic reforms underway in Ethiopia.
She mentioned the serious works done in ensuring gender parity among others.
Ulla Tornaes, on her part, commended Ethiopia’s reform agenda, assuring Mrs. Hirut of Denmark’s support in this regard.
Noting that the Ethio-Danish cooperation has gathered speed over the years, she pointed out the growing interest of Danish companies to invest in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia and Denmark established diplomatic relations in the 1960s, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Amb. Borgstam Expresses EU’s Commitment to Advance Cooperation with Ethiopia (March 27, 2019)

State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Hirut Zemene met an EU delegation, headed by John Borgstam, EU Ambassador to Ethiopia, today.
The two sides discussed on aspects of cooperation, covering regional peace and security good governance, migration and climate change.
Mrs. Hirut stressed the importance of deepening ties between Ethiopia and the EU in a range of areas including trade, business, and investment, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
She further underlined Ethiopia’s continued commitment for peace and security in the Horn of Africa region, particularly in Somalia and South Sudan.
Ambassador John Borgstam expressed EU’s commitment to advance cooperation between the two sides, describing Ethiopia as one of the EU’s important partner in the African continent.
Ethiopia and the EU look back on 42 years of constructive bilateral relations in areas, as diverse as development cooperation, trade and economic development, consolidation of democratic institutions, as well as regional peace and security.

Boeing 737 Max Makes Emergency Landing in Orlando (March 27, 2019

Boeing 737 Max Makes Emergency Landing in Orlando (March 27, 2019)

A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max made a safe emergency landing in Orlando, Florida, after experiencing an engine problem, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
The crew declared an emergency after taking off from Orlando International Airport on Tuesday and returned to the airport safely.
No passengers were on board as the aircraft was being ferried to Victorville, California, where Southwest is storing the aeroplane because of a nationwide commercial flight ban.
The 737 Max was grounded in the United States on March 13 after a deadly crash involving a Max in Ethiopia on March 10. It was the second fatal crash involving the plane model in the past five months.
US airlines are allowed to shuttle the planes but cannot carry passengers.
The FAA said it’s investigating but the emergency was not related to anti-stall software that is suspected as a cause of the two fatal crashes, including one last year involving a plane from Indonesia.
Airport spokeswoman Carolyn Fennell said one of the airport’s three runways was shut down for cleaning after the landing. She said it was standard procedure to check a runway for debris after an emergency landing. It wasn’t clear if any parts actually fell off the plane.