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Addis Ababa, January 18, 2019 – Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu exchanged views with his Rwandan counterpart, Richard Sezibera on aspects of bilateral and regional issues today.
Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh warmly welcomed Sezibera and expressed his satisfaction on the excellent relations between Ethiopia and Rwanda.
Highlighting collaboration on a myriad of bilateral and regional issues of common interest, Foreign Minister Dr. Workneh said,“Ethiopia and Rwanda enjoy excellent relations, I’m satisfied on the level of cooperation between the two friendly countries.”
“Ethiopia and Rwanda cooperation is practical and exemplary.”
Foreign Minister Sezibera on his part appreciated the strong deep-rooted relation between the two countries.
He said “ I applaud Ethiopia for unleashing a new era of optimism in the Horn of Africa,” further adding “Rwanda support the recent political and economic reforms undertaken by Ethiopia; Rwanda is committed to boost business, trade and investment cooperation with Ethiopia.”
Rwanda opened its Embassy in Addis Ababa in September 1978 while Ethiopia opened its Embassy in Kigali in April 2017, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The PRC will prepare the agenda of the 32nd African Union Summit with appropriate recommendations for consideration by the Executive Council scheduled to take place from 7th – 8th February 2019. The meeting will bring together all the Ambassadors of the 55 African Union member states based in Addis Ababa and key AU officials.

Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed held an in-depth, thorough discussion this morning with the leadership of MFA, Director Generals, Ambassadors and diplomats on the ongoing reform, progresses and challenges responding to contemporary global issues of national interest, enhancing our economic diplomacy venture, diaspora engagement and lessons learned.
PM Dr. Abiy said that Diplomacy is one pillar of economic development; it is vital bedrock for socio-economic progress, adding “Our Ambassadors and diplomats are the face and soul of Ethiopia abroad. An Ambassador should relentlessly promote Ethiopia abroad for national gain, stimulate positive country image, mobilize investment, tourism and better engage the diaspora for national dialogue.”
On the occasion, PM Dr. Abiy commended the Ambassadors for their tireless effort and hard work over the years abroad, concomitantly stressing our embassies should be able to play a much more bustling, active role in promoting investment, informing and updating potential investors on investment opportunities in Ethiopia, trade, and tourism sectors.
He said, “We want the foreign ministry to become a catalyst for economic development, maintain positive country image and most importantly trigger citizencentered diplomacy in our bilateral, regional and multilateral diplomatic activity nexus.”
On a final note Dr. Abiy applauded and gave Certificate of Appreciation to Africa’s longest serving Diplomat, Ambassador Konjit Sine-Giorgis in recognition of her outstanding and invaluable contribution in various positions during her tenure of duty at MFA.

Addis Ababa, January 9, 2019 – Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed received the Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland, Leo Varadkar, at his office today.
The official visit further solidifies the diplomatic relations between Ireland and Ethiopia that spans over 20 years.
During the bi-lateral discussions PM Dr Abiy noted that the visit by PM Varadka is a testimony to the strengthened ties between Europe and Ethiopia, according to Office of the Prime Minister.
The Taoiseach on his part expressed his appreciation of the recent developments in Ethiopia and shared Ireland’s continued support to Ethiopia, particularly in agroprocessing investments, the office added.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Varadkar visited Irish NGOs that are working to reduce poverty in Ethiopia.
The Irish Prime Minister arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia today.
Upon arrival at Bole International Airport, the Prime Minister was received by State Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Markos Tekle.
His visit will last until 11th January.
Ireland and Ethiopia enjoy 25 years of diplomatic relations.
PM Varadkaris began his week-long program in Africa on Monday with a visit to Mali.

Addis Ababa, January 8, 2019 – Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s nationwide and fundamental political and economic reforms could be a model to the East African region and beyond, said EU ambassador to Ethiopia.Ambassador Johan Borgstam told The Ethiopian Herald, that EU welcomes the
commitment of the Ehiopian Governemnt to multiparty democracy, respect for human rights, rule of law and gender parity.The appointment of SahleWork Zewde as the President and nominations of 50 percent women in the cabinet are also encouraging steps toward a greater degree of gender equality and inclusiveness, he said.EU encourages the Ethiopian Government to continue towards developing an inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders, including federal and regional authorities,
political parties, CSOs, youth groups and media on sustainable solutions towards better governance, justice and accountability, election, job creation, and security challenges. According to him, the EU stands ready to support Ethiopia in its continued work to
ensure the respect for the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and access to information, the right to assembly, foster religious tolerance and safeguard gender mainstreaming.The Union also backs activities towards promoting women and girls’ education and empowerment and moves to eliminate all forms of violence against them, also in
efforts to make the upcoming election inclusive, credible and transparent.EU welcomes the announcement of reforms aiming at revitalizing the economy by improving the investment climate and strengthening the role of the private sector, the ambassador said.It appreciates Ethiopia’s engagement in multilateral free trade mechanisms,
reforming key state-owned enterprises and opening them to competition and foreign participation as well as putting the economy on a fiscally sustainable path, he added.Noting economic reforms should contribute to address the crucial need for job creation in a country where two thirds of the population is under the age of 30,
Borgstam said the EU will intensify its support in job creation, industrial and agroindustrial parks, export and trade promotion as well as private sector development.The recently proposed Africa-Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobspromotes a strengthened framework to support Ethiopia’s economic transformation,he said.The EU and its Member States have been steadfast allies in supporting Ethiopiathrough various platforms and they will step up coordination to back government’sendeavors.Furthermore, EU and its Member States have been providing humanitarian assistancefor millions of internally displaced people across the country thereby supplementinggovernment’s efforts to deter the existing large-scale internal displacement from
posing a risk to the reform process.Ambassador Borgstam pointed out that EU supports the driving role Ethiopia hasbeen playing in the regional Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF)process as the second largest refugee hosting country in Africa.The Union commends Ethiopia for its constructive role in the Khartoum Process and the Valletta Summit on Migration and applauds the decision the government has made to grant visa-upon arrival to African citizens as a step towards further regional and continental integration.