German President visits rock-hewn churches at Lalibela (January 29, 2019)

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German President visits rock-hewn churches at Lalibela
Addis Ababa, January 29, 2019 – German President Frank -Walter Steinmeier today arrived in Lalibela town, Amhara regional state, to visit the rock-hewn churches at Lalibela, which are a UNESCO world heritage site.

Early this morning the President, who arrived in Addis Ababa last Sunday for a four day official visit to Ethiopia, also visited a vocational training institute and the German Embassy in Addis Ababa.

The German President met with President Sahle-Work Zewde and Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed yesterday to discuss bilateral issues as well as witnessed a MoU signing ceremony between the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) and Volkswagen that enables the latter to set up an automotive industry in Ethiopia.

The last day of the visit will be devoted to the African Union. The President Steinmeier will meet with, among others, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat.

Dr Workneh travels to Djibouti to attend 15th Ethio-Djibouti Joint Ministerial Commission meeting (January 29, 2019)

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Djibouti Joint Ministerial Commission meeting
January 29, 2019 – An Ethiopian delegation led by Dr Workneh Gebeyehu has travelled to Djibouti to attend the 15th Ethio-Djibouti Joint Ministerial Commission meeting.

Ethiopia and Djibouti have had comprehensive and multi-faceted economic and political relations over the previous decades. Djibouti is the main import-export port outlet for Ethiopia.

The two countries are already linked with vital infrastructural facilities and they have been conducting period monitoring and evaluation on the progress of the multiple projects that are being conducted between the two neighborly countries.

The joint meeting provides a forum on which they can evaluate the progress in the relation between the two countries and also resolve possible upcoming issues.

The meeting will deliberate on topical issues of transport, port utilization, education, health, customs and trade.

Volkswagen to Launch its First Car Plant in Ethiopia (January 29, 2019)

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Volkswagen to Launch its First Car Plant in Ethiopia
German carmaker, Volkswagen plans to open a car assembly plant in Ethiopia as it expands its presence in Africa.
Following the signing of the MOU by Investment Commissioner Mr. Abeba Abebayehu and CEO of VW Mr. Thomas Shafer said, “Ethiopia is an attractive and competitive location for production and supporting logistics.”
Mr. Thomas Shaffer also said, “The signing of the MoU showcases the seriousness with which Volkswagen takes its commitment to Africa with the planned local assembly we are confident to be able to expand our market position.”
Investment Commissioner Mr. Abeba Abebayehu said that,” We welcome the decision of Volkswagen to resume manufacturing and assembly of cars in Ethiopia, a step that reflects the improvement of the investment environment and the performance of business in Ethiopia, in the light of the implementation of the comprehensive economic reform program as well as the openness of Ethiopia to cooperate with the German company within the framework of its policies to develop the automotive industry in its various categories.”
Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed received the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank Walter Steinmer and his delegation yesterday, who are currently visiting Ethiopia. During the occasion, the Premier immensely appreciated the long- term and consistent technical and vocational support of the government of Germany to Ethiopia.
In addition to Rwanda, the Volkswagen brand is also active at three other locations in the Sub-Sahara region: the company has been manufacturing vehicles in South Africa since 1951. Vehicle assembly began in Nigeria in 2015 and in Kenya in December 2016.
By 1955, Volkswagen was in more than 150 countries worldwide.

Premier appreciates German’s consistent technical, vocational support to Ethiopia (January 28, 2019)

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Premier appreciates German’s consistent technical, vocational support to Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, January 28, 2019 – Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed today received the President of Germany, Frank Walter Steinmer and his delegation, who are currently visiting Ethiopia.

The Prime Minister appreciated the German Government’s long-term and consistent technical and vocational support to Ethiopia, according to Office of the Prime Minister

He shared the three pillars of the current reforms as being grounded in individuals, ideas and institutions.

President Steinmer on his part acknowledged the elevation of Ethiopia-German relations to reforms cooperation and confirmed the strengthening of these relations.

Early this morning, the German President Frank also held bilateral talks with President Sahle-Work Zewde.

President Steinmer will attend a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Volkswagen AG and the Ethiopian Investment Commission a roundtable discussion with the economic adviser to the PM and members of the German and Ethiopian business communities later today.

The President will be meeting with civil society representatives and prominent Ethiopians advocating political change, from whom he will be hearing about current developments in the country, which is undergoing reforms and a social opening.

He will also visit a vocational training institute and meet with members of the business community. In the north of the country, he will visit the rock-hewn churches at Lalibela, which are a UNESCO world heritage site.

The last day of the visit will be devoted to the African Union. The President Steinmeier will meet with, among others, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat.

German President to Visit Ethiopia (January 25, 2019)

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German President to Visit Ethiopia
The President will meet FDRE President H.E Sahle-Work Zewde and Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed,and iscuss on ways of strengthening bilateral relations.The President will also visit Lalibela Rock-Hewn churches.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Ethiopia two years ago and Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed paid a visit to Germany last October.Ethiopia and Germany have enjoyed over 50-years of development cooperation that covered a range of fields, including the provision of primary education, technical and vocational training, agriculture and biodiversity.

Some 35 German companies are engaged in Ethiopia’s floricultural, logistics, transportand pharmaceutical sectors.Ethiopia exports agricultural products, including coffee and textiles to German markets, and imports pharmaceuticals, medicines and machinery.Ethiopia and Germany
began diplomatic relations in 1905

PM Dr. Abiy Warmly Welcomes H.E.Moussa Faki (January 25, 2019)

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Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed warmly welcomed H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission with Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, earlier today at his office to strike dialogues on the upcoming AU summit preparations

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State Minister Hirut Zemene attends AU-EU Annual Joint Ministerial Meetings (January 25, 2019)

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Ethiopian delegation led by H.E Hirut Zemene, State Minister for Foreign Affairs took part at the AU-EU Annual Joint Ministerial Meetings in Brussels (Jan 23
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Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh, “Ethiopia and the EU Enjoy Exemplary Partnership” (January 24, 2019)

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Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed strikes dialogues with European Union Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in the presence of Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu in Brussels earlier today. (January24)
Ethiopia is one of the EU’s important partners on the African continent. Ethiopia and the EU share a common vision for a peaceful, safe and stable Horn of Africa, which is a precondition for the political, economic and social development of the region as a whole.
EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that he is pleased to welcome PM Dr. Abiy in Brussels and Ethiopia’s courageous reforms and shared ambition for an even stronger EU-Ethiopia partnership.
On the occasion EU and Ethiopia Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu and Neven Mimica, EU Commissioner for International Cooperation signed three financing agreements worth 130 Million Euros for sustainable energy initiatives, industrial parks and job creation sectors.  EU and Ethiopia engage in multidimensional works to support Ethiopia’s development endeavor.

Ethiopia, EU Promising Duo (January 24, 2019)

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Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed was warmly welcomed by European Council President Donald Tusk in Brussels earlier today. (January 24)
#Ethiopia is one of the #EU’s important partners on the African continent, active in regional peace and security as well as on thematic international debates such as climate change.
Ethiopia and the European Union enjoy a multi-faceted, multi-dimensional nexus of cooperation. The EU supports the concerted efforts of Ethiopia to eradicate poverty, foster inclusive and sustainable economic, social and environmental development while promoting human rights, democracy, and other elements of good governance.
PM Dr. Abiy commended EU’s support to Ethiopia through its development cooperation, standing by Ethiopia to address its key challenges, such as food insecurity, a rapidly growing population, environmental pressures exacerbated by climate change, and a range of governance issues.
The EU and Ethiopia look back on 42 years of constructive bilateral relations in areas as diverse as development cooperation, trade and economic development, consolidation of democratic institutions, regional peace and security and migration.
Brussels hosts the Headquarters of the main EU institutions.

PM Dr. Abiy, “Ethiopia is a Staunch Advocate of Peace” (January 24, 2019)

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Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed addressed world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos (January 24), where he highlighted Ethiopia’s rapid transformation and reform process which is deeply rooted in the philosophy of “Medemer”, Amharic for coming together or synergy has become a colloquial word inspiring the nation carried far and wide throughout #Ethiopia.
Recalling the highly uncertain and highly volatile attributes of the Horn Region that has grappled it for decades with rivalries and hostilities Prime Minister Dr. Abiy said that Ethiopia is bold and firm to sustain pave the way for viable discourses that primarily promote common interests, common visions and common development across the board addressing major culprits that have hindered the region to the apex of peace, stability and normalcy. He stated that Ethiopia’s principled and disciplined foreign policy nexus depicts as a matter of priority our resolute for regional peace and stability based on the core principles of mutual respect, mutual benefits and mutual growth triggering tremendous potentials for holistic economic growth through regional cooperation strata.
The Prime Minister also discussed the contribution of Ethio- Eritrea Rapprochement as a continental model for regional reconciliation a grandeur historic paradigm shift ushering wind of hope wind of harmony to normalize relations with unprecedented speed and fashion of progress elevating its call above and beyond national boundary
to stimulate peaceful discourses in the region highlighting the reopening of Bure and Zalambesa border crossings during the Ethiopian New Year as the latest dramatic development which brought an extraordinary jubilation for the people of the two countries.
On the margins of the WEF Annual Meeting, the Prime Minister also reiterated the myriad of politico-economic reforms Ethiopia undertook recently among others overarching vision of national reconciliation, toning down political polarization, releasing political prisoners including some high profile figures, inviting exiled opposition groups to return home and participate vibrantly in politics intertwining and encouraging progressive inclusive democracy, navigate through political discourse based on rationality and civility has reaffirmed better equipped Ethiopia’s positive new dawn a new chapter a new era of optimism both on the economic and political flanks.
Prime Minister Dr. Abiy addressed the plethora of challenges ahead to accelerate transforming a nation from the plight of poverty towards economic development towards unity and inclusion despite the applauded sound country wide reforms undertaken responding to lingering and looming regional and geopolitical challenges. He said that Ethiopia’s impressive remarkable double digit economic growth in the entire continent has echoed our unparalleled commitment to eradicate poverty, deepen our democracy and sustain country development across the globe and to that end we remain steadfast committed to tackle the myriad of challenges ahead and put Ethiopia’s name in the proper place in the world.
The World Economic Forum is held annually by global leaders to address global pressing issues to shape a better future.