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A total of seven agreements-one public and six private, have been signed on the sidelines of the state visit of France President Emmanuel Macron to Ethiopia.
The French President paid a two-day state visit to Ethiopia this week. He also visited the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Amhara regional state.
Following the visit, the two countries signed the following seven cooperation agreements:
 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ethiopian Space Science and Technology Institute and the National Center for Space Studies on Cooperation of Space Activities  Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Castel Group and the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) for the construction of the SOMDIAA maize processing plant  Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CMA CGM and the local MACCFA company for the creation of a joint venture  Letter of intent between CMA CGM and Ethiopian Shipping & Logistics Services Enterprise (ESLSE) for the management of Modjo Dry Port
 Letter of intent between Meridiam, Global Infrastructure Hub and the Ethiopian Ministry of Finance for the implementation of the Africa Infrastructure Fellowship Program (AIFP)  Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Canal + Group and Mr. TEODROS for the Implementation of a Distribution Agreement for the Commercialization of a Pay-TV Offer  Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bolloré Africa Logistics and the local company CLS Logistics for the creation of a joint venture.

Ethiopia’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs Mrs. Hirut Zemene today met with the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa of Sweden, Urban Andersson.
During the discussion, Andersson expressed his country’s continued commitment to support Ethiopia’s efforts in the maintenance of regional peace and stability.
Mrs. Hirut briefed the Special Envoy on the comprehensive political and economic reforms in Ethiopia, further noting the historic rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea and its peace dividend to the region.
In such score, the State Minister called on Swedish support particularly in areas of advancing democratization in Ethiopia.
Discussions also focused on the upcoming International Peace Conference due to be held in Sweden, Stockholm in May 2019.

President Emmanuel Macron of France is due to arrive in Addis Ababa tomorrow for a two-day state visit to Ethiopia.
During his visit, President Macron will meet with President Sahle-Work Zewde and Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed for talks on bilateral and regional issues of mutual benefit to the peoples of the two countries.
President Macron will also visit the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ethiopia is keen on replicating its strong diplomatic and people-to-people ties with the US in the trade and investment frontiers, Ethiopian Ambassador to the US, Fitsum Arega said.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, the ambassador stated that it is the interest of Ethiopia to expand the age-long diplomatic ties as it is a major component in the relationship with the US. Extensive works are underway to forge economic partnership.
He noted that Ethiopia’s diplomatic missions in the US are striving to attract American companies and plan was set to hold discussions with potential stakeholders to scale up the economic cooperation.
Business forums would also be staged in the respective countries aimed at driving more US businesses to Ethiopia.
The ambassador pointed out that the government of Ethiopia has formulated favorable investment policy and allocated the bulk of it for those who want to do business in the country.
“Taking in to account the trade and investment relations with the US have not reached at the desired level, Ethiopia is working to tap the potential through investing in some key areas and the construction of industry zones are believed to ease infrastructural and bureaucratic setbacks.”
The country has also issued various incentives for investors to engage in priority sectors, in particular in the manufacturing industry.
Ambassador Fitsum further stated that Ethiopia’s entitlement to African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and other preferential trade agreements are helpful to American investors as they can export their products to those markets. Ethiopia is also hugely engaged to capitalize on Trade Africa Initiative and Doing Business in Africa Campaign, both aimed at fostering the US commercial relationship with Africa.
Ethiopia’s viable investment policy, rule of law and certainty of investors have made big contributions to attract investment to the country, he said, adding t the Embassy is working to encourage US companies to contribute share for the expansion of investment projects that generate job opportunities for the youth.
Regarding political ties, the ambassador said the two countries are jointly working to ensure peace and stability in the Eastern Africa region and have strong partnership to combat terrorism. In this regard, the collaboration of USA and Ethiopia has borne fruit by bringing peace and stability in the turbulent region. Besides, concrete efforts are underway to scale up partnership in democracy, human rights, peace, education and health sectors, among others.
About Ethiopian Diaspora in the US, Ambassador Fitsum said Ethiopian diplomatic missions are partnering with relevant government organs to ensure citizens’ rights and benefits and encourage them to contribute share to their home country’s development.
The government has been exerting maximum effort to engage Ethiopians living in the US in the development of the country, he noted, adding that the incumbent also encourages the Diaspora’s participation in national issues including the recently launched Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund (EDTF).
Furthermore, varieties of incentive packages have also been designed to encourage and support the large Ethiopian community in the US to take part in their country’s untapped investment opportunities thereby contributing share in the socio-economic development of Ethiopia, he stated.
The ambassador also extended calls for Ethiopian Diaspora in the US increased support to expedite development endeavors in their homeland and back mega projects including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam financially, professionally and in other ways.
Commenced diplomatic ties in 1903, the political relation between Ethiopia and the US is currently expanding in the spheres of trade and investment.

Through the facilitation of Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed, President Uhuru Kenyatta and President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed met this morning to discuss extensively on the source of the two countries dispute.
As an outcome of the discussions, both parties agreed to work together towards peace and to take measures in addressing particular issues that escalated the tensions, according to Office of the Prime Minister.