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The speaker of the FDRE House of Federation, Honourable Adem Farah, has delivered the message of PM Abiy Ahmed to the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, today on the 9th of June 2021.

PM Abiy’s message to President Von Der Leyen was handed over to EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic, while the message to President Michel was handed over to Mr. Simon Mordue, his Chief Foreign Policy Advisor. Honourable Adem also met and discussed with EU Commissioner for International Partnership (INTPA), Jutta Urpilainen, Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic, and Mr. Stefano Sannino, Secretary General at the European External Action Service on issues of common concerns and interests.

The discussions with the EU officials focused on explaining efforts being made to undertake peaceful, free, and fair national elections on the 21st of June 2021, Ethiopia’s position on the ongoing GERD negotiations, the situation in Tigray, the efforts that are being made to address the humanitarian situation, and steps taken to redress Human Rights violation and other related issues.

EU officials have expressed their concerns and emphasised the need to further expedite access to humanitarian assistance in Tigray, commended the initial steps taken in the investigative process of human rights violations, and have noted the importance of the commencement of the joint investigations by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

The discussions with the EU institutions has helped to communicate the all rounded efforts underway through the transition process, including the upcoming national elections, the situation in Tigray, and the ongoing GERD negotiations.

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has arrived in Addis Ababa for an official working visit.

Upon arrival at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, he was received by senior government officials, including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

During his visit, the President will meet with government officials to discuss issues of mutual concern.

The Finance Minister Ahmed Shede has today received a delegation of the European Union Business Forum led by Erik Habers.

The EU Business Forum started operation in Ethiopia in 2021 comprising close to 300 member companies drawn from several European countries engaged in several areas of investment.

The forum has been serving as a bridge between the companies and the government in line with addressing shortcomings and complaints raised by both sides based on the MoU signed between the syndicate and the respective government institutions.

Members of the delegate pledge commitment to contribute their share in making Ethiopia the best chosen investment destination and jointly work with the Ministry in doing so. They also appreciated Ethiopia’s privatization program.

Ahmed Shede briefed the members of the delegation on the transformative reform in the finance and economic sector of the country and expressed the government’s interest to work hand in hand with the forum. The two agreed to collaborate in facilitating conducive investment climate in Ethiopia.

The Council of Ministers has approved today 561.67 billion Birr proposed budget for the upcoming Ethiopian fiscal year that begins in July 2021.

In its 97th regular session the Council of Ministers discussed the draft 561.67 billion Birr budget bill for the 2014 Ethiopian fiscal year.

According to a press release of the council, the proposed budget has shown 18 percent an increment when compared to the budget of last Ethiopian fiscal year.

Out of the total 561.67 billion Birr budget for the year, 162 billion Birr is allocated for recurrent spending, 183.5 billion Birr for capital expenditure, 203.95 billion Birr for subsidy to regions, and 12 billion Birr for sustained development goals, it added.

After an extensive deliberation of the budget draft bill, the council of ministers has approved the bill and referred it to the House of People’s Representatives.

The Council of Ministers has also approved additional budget amounting to 26.4 billion Birr for government expenditure for the coming months.

The expenses incurred following the law enforcement operation in Tigray, provision of emergency aid to citizens affected by drought, displaced and returnees as well as prevention of COVID-19, subsidy for fertilizer, and curbing of flooding, among others, are the main reasons that necessitated the additional budget request.

The additional budget is expected to be raised from non-tax revenues and domestic loans as well as development partners in the form of aid and loan.

The council unanimously approved the draft budget and referred it to the House of People’s Representatives.

For the latest updates from the Horn of Africa checkout MFA weekly online magazine A Week in the Horn June 4, 2021. Get the major news stories in the week about Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Djibouti, South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia and AU.

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