Europe Countries

SHORT BRIEF ON ETHIO-RUSSIA RELATION

Diplomatic relations of Ethiopia and Russia

• Ethiopia and Russia have longstanding historical relations that go back to the period of a Russian Czar Machilovich (Father of Peter the Great) in the 17^th century.  Russia formally established its Legation in Ethiopia in 1898. The diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Russia were upgraded to an Embassy level when both countries opened their respective Embassies in Addis Ababa and Moscow in 1956. 
• During the Soviet Union period relations have expanded further with more than 24,000 students graduating from Russian Universities. Cooperation in the field of education is still important in the relations between our two countries.
• The military sector is also another pillar in the relation between the two countries. The Russian Federation has canceled more than 4 billion debt inherited from the former Soviet Union.

BILATERAL COOPERATIONS

1.  Education

• Russia`s contribution to educational development in Ethiopia is remarkable. More than 13,000 Ethiopians have studied in the former Soviet Union and today`s Russia. Many Ethiopian higher officials are working in Ethiopia after completing their higher-level education in the former Soviet Union and current Russia.
• For the last several years the Russian side has been providing scholarships in both Masters and Ph.D. programs. In this year,2018/19, 31 students are pursuing their studies in Russia. 

2. MINERAL

• Currently only one company named GASPROMBANK Global Resources is engaged in the exploration of potash in Ethiopia.
• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) dated 10 March 2010 between the Geological Survey of Ethiopia. (GSE) and the Zarubezhgeologia (JSC) of the Russian Federation, the Uranium Assessment The project was implemented involving one Russian uranium exploration expert and the Ethiopian counterparts. Accordingly, pre-field, field, and post-field works were conducted in different parts of the country between 22 November 2010 and 1 May 2011 and submitted a preliminary report to the Geological Survey of Ethiopia.

3. NUCLEAR ENERGY

• The cooperation on nuclear energy between the two countries was started by signing MOU in 2017.
• In this connection, the corresponding higher officials of ROSATOM of Russia and the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Ethiopia (MoIT) signed an agreement on the cooperation of building nuclear plant for peaceful use in Sochi/Russia during the Russia Africa summit, on October 23/2019.

4. TRANSPORT

• The existing Bilateral Air Service Agreement between Ethiopia and Russia dates back to March 26, 1977.
• Ethiopian Airlines reopens the Moscow route after 27 years on December 18/2018.  The route aims to connect Moscow with sixty African cities to facilitate trade, investment, and tourism. Ethiopian is deploying 787 Dreamliner jets for its three times weekly flight to Moscow.

Exchange of Official Visits

• On December 3, 2001, H.E. Ato MelesZenawi, the late prime minister of Ethiopia visited the Russian Federation and met with his counterpart H.E President Putin.
• The late foreign Minister Dr. Tedros Adhanom visited Russia in April 2016 and held discussions with H.E. Sergey Lavrov.
• On 26-27June 2017, H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu visited Moscow and met with his Russian counterpart.
• In December 2016, H.E.Mrs. Hirut Zemene paid a working visit to Moscow and exchanged views with her counterparts.
• H.E. Mr. Sergey Lavrov had paid Visits to Ethiopia in March 2014 and 2018 at two different times.
• H.E. Mr. Gedu Andargachew, Foreign Minister of FDRE, was invited by his counterpart, H.E. Mr. Sergey Lavrov, and visited Moscow/Russia on September 10/2019.
• H.E Prime Minister of FDRE, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, participated in the first Russia-Africa Summit which was held in October 2019 in Sochi/Russia and met with his counterpart H.E. President Vladimir Putin.

Relations between Turkey and Ethiopia

Diplomatic relations between Turkey and Ethiopia started in 1896 with the exchange of delegations during the rule of Sultan Abdülhamid II and Emperor Menelik II. Following the opening of the first Ottoman-Turkish Consulate General in Harar, in 1912, the first Embassy of the Republic of Turkey’s in Sub-Saharan Africa was opened in Addis Ababa, in 1926. The Ethiopian side opened its Embassy in Turkey in 1933. The Embassy of Ethiopia in Ankara was closed in 1984 during the Derg regime and was re-opened on 21 April 2006.

H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Turkey paid his first official visit to Ethiopia and Sub-Saharan Africa on 21-23 January 2015. H.E. Mulatu Teshome Wirtu, former President of Ethiopia, who was also the former Ethiopian Ambassador to Turkey, Ankara paid a state visit to Turkey on 6-10 February 2017 and attended second Turkey- Africa Economy and Business Forum on 10-11 October 2018.

The bilateral economic relations have been discussed at the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) Meetings since 2000. The latest JEC meeting, which was co-chaired by H.E. Nihat Zeybekci, former Turkish Minister of Economy and H.E. Ahmed Abitew, former Ethiopian Minister of Industry was held on 28 November 2016 in Addis Ababa. The inauguration of Turkish Airlines’ direct flights to Addis Ababa as of April 2006; and Ethiopian Airlines’ direct flight to Istanbul as of April 2017 has a significant impact in boosting the trade relations between the two countries.

As of the end of 2018, the number of Turkish firms active in Ethiopia is around 200 and the total amount of investments by Turkish firms in Ethiopia is around 2,5 billion USD. Another significant indication of the developing relations between the two countries is the fast trade volume increase registered in recent years. Export from Turkey to Ethiopia was 321,073 million USD while imports from Ethiopia to Turkey was 34,441 million USD in 2018.

Main export items from Turkey to Ethiopia are metal and metal products, machines, mechanical and electrical devices and they’re spare parts, plastics, chemical products, textile and ready-made clothes, food, visual equipment, musical instruments, clocks, measurement devices, medical and surgical equipment, vegetable oil, paper, stone, gypsum, cement, asbestos, mica, shoes, artificial flower, wood, and wooden products, mineral products, leather and leather products, bags, suitcases, gemstones, metals, imitation jewelry. Main import items from Ethiopia to Turkey are a vegetable (sesame, oil seeds) and animal products, leather and leather products, textile and ready-made clothes, paper, and plastic products.

Political relations

France and Ethiopia have close relations.

Visits

• Visits to Ethiopia by Presidents of the French Republic: 12/13 March (State visit of H.E Emmanuel Macron); 25 May 2013 (50th anniversary of the establishment of the Organization of African Unity (AU) – François Hollande); 30 January 2011 (African Union Summit – Nicolas Sarkozy);
• Visit to France by  Prime Minister of Ethiopia H.E  Abiy Ahmed: 29 October 2018
• Visit to France of former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, H.E Hailemariam Desalegn: December 2015 (COP21); 6-7 December 2013 (Élysée Summit for Peace and Security in Africa); 18-19 April 2013 (working visit);
• Visits to Ethiopia by French Ministers: Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs (June 2018); Minister of the Environment, Energy and Marine Affairs (February 2016); Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Promotion of Tourism and French Nationals Abroad (December 2015); Minister of State for Development and Francophonie (April 2015); Minister of Foreign Trade (20-21 December 2013); Minister Delegate for Development (7-8 July 2013); Minister of Foreign Affairs (January 2013);
• Visits to France by Ethiopian Ministers:  Minister for Education((November 2019, UNESCO General Conference),  Minister for the Environment (December 2017, One Planet Summit), Minister for Education (November 2017, UNESCO General Conference), Minister for Transport (March 2016 and January 2017), Minister for the Environment (December 2015, COP21), Deputy Prime Minister (November 2014); Minister for Justice (April 2014); Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Civil Service (May 2013); Minister of Foreign Affairs (April 2013 and December 2013); Minister for Transport (January 2013).

Economic relations

Relations between France and Ethiopia have grown closer over the past five years. In 2018, bilateral trade between the two nations were €655 million, down 33% in 2017, due to the combined drop-in French exports (down 26% to €615 million) and imports (down 5% to €38 million). The trade balance shows a structural surplus for France (€580 million in 2018). Ethiopia is, therefore, France’s fifth largest market and its second-largest trade surplus in Sub-Saharan African.

In 2018, French exports focused on two main sectors: transport equipment and pharmaceuticals. French imports from Ethiopia have been falling steadily since 2015. They mainly comprise agricultural products (81%) (Mainly raw coffee).
France is among the main European investors, after the United Kingdom, Italy and the Netherlands. At the beginning of 2019, 55 French companies were present in Ethiopia, employing almost 4,900 people.

Cooperation

French cultural, educational and research institutions (French Lycée Guébré-Mariam, Alliance Ethio-Française, and French Centre for Ethiopian Studies) have been in Ethiopia for a long time, which has made France a well-known contributor to Ethiopia’s development.

The French Development Agency (AFD) has been involved in Ethiopia since September 1993 and, since 2010, has mainly provided sovereign loans. In order to support Ethiopia’s economic structural reforms, France has undertaken to grant budgetary assistance of €100 million in 2019, to support the World Bank program, including €15 million in technical assistance.

A defense agreement was signed in March 2019 during the visit of the President of the French Republic. The agreement will also help increase information sharing and officer training. Other ongoing cooperation activities will continue, such as French-language lessons for senior military personnel, training, and support for the development of the Ethiopian International Peacekeeping Training Center.

Ethiopia and Germany have more than 100 years of bilateral diplomatic relations. They have regular bilateral political consultations at their foreign ministries level. The previous sessions have helped enhance the strategic relationship between the two countries mainly focusing on promoting and enhancing economic cooperation, finding solutions for regional peace and security impediments in the Horn of Africa. Thus, Ethiopia has become one of Germany’s economic cooperation priorities in Africa.

Germany is one of the largest importers of Ethiopian goods, primarily coffee and textiles, and until 2014 it was traditionally the biggest buyer of Ethiopian coffee, taking more than 30 present of the country’s total coffee exports. The main German exports to Ethiopia are finished products such as machinery, engines, motor vehicles, chemicals, and medicines. German companies have recently begun to invest in Ethiopia, especially in the flower growing and the leather processing industries. Since 2016, heavy vehicle manufacturer MAN has been selling dissembled HGV components to a customer in Ethiopia and is assisting with training and assembly. In 2017, Siemens opened its East Africa headquarters in Addis Ababa. Ethiopian Airlines and DHL (minority share) set up a joint venture in 2018. Volkswagen signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ethiopian Investment Commission in late January 2019.

Economic Relation

–       German investors have expressed a desire to engage in various sectors in Ethiopia.

–       20 Companies are at operational Level, 12 Companies are in the Implementation stage and 9-in Pre-implementation level.

–       In 2017 the value of Ethiopian export to Germany was close to 195,084,746.33 million dollars, while Ethiopia imported goods worth 232,167,643.69   million dollars from Germany during the same period.

Development Cooperation

–       A Summary Record of the Negotiations on Development Cooperation between the Government of The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany has been signed on September  2014

• Bilaterally signed more than 85 Agreements, Minutes MOUS and Exchange of Notes in the field of Trade and Investment, Culture as well as educational and scientific co-operation.
• Since June 24/2019 they have Joint Ministerial Council.

Bilateral Visit

   From the German side:- 

• Former German Federal President, H.E. Mr. Roman Herzog (1996)
• Former Chancellor, Gerhard Shroeder ( 2004)
• Former German Federal President,  Horst Kohler (2004)
• Incumbent German Federal President, H.E. Dr. Frank-Water Steienmeier (2018)
• Incumbent Chancellor, H.E. Dr. Angela Merkel ( 2007and 2016)
• Parliamentary Delegation ( 2011)
• Incumbent Federal President, H.E. Dr. Joachim Gauck (2013).
• Federal Minister for Agriculture and Consumer Protection (2013)
• Foreign Minister, H.E Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier ( 2019)
• Parliamentary Undersecretary, H.E. Thomas Sibelhorn (2014)
• German Parliament Group (Bundestag) East African group (2016)

   From the Ethiopian side:- 

• Late Prime Minister, H.E. Ato. Meles Zenawi. ( 2002)
• Late Prime Minister, H.E.  Ato. Meles  Zenawi. ( 2004)
• Late Prime Minister, H.E. Meles Zenawi for the G-7 meeting(2007)
• Late Former President, H.E. Ato.  Girma Wolde Giorgis. ( 2008)
• Prime Minister, H.E. Ato Hailemariam Dessalegn. (2014)
• Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, (2018)

 People to People relations

• Good people-to-people relation sister cities (Addis Ababa – Leipzig (ላይፕዚግ/ሽ), Alem Ketema-Vaterstetten,(ፋተርሽቴትን), Gotta-Adwa and Witten-Mekele  )
• University cooperation and joint research schemes on sustainable land management, biosphere conservation, agriculture

Multilateral relations

• German support to Ethiopia is channeled through multilateral organizations like the European Union, United Nations, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund.

Italy was one of the first European countries to open diplomatic relations with Ethiopia. Their level of diplomatic contact was elevated to an Embassy status in 1952 with the opening of the Ethiopian Embassy in Rome.

Bilateral Visit  

Ethio-Italian relations are characterized by the promotion of common interest and mutual trust on bilateral and regional matters. The long-standing historical relationship has been consolidated by various cooperation agreements and by a range of high-level visits.

From the Italy side:-

• Italy Republic President H.E Osker Luwiji Skalifar in November  23-26/1997 Visited Ethiopia.
• Italy Prime Minister Romano Pr0di  January 2007፣
• Italy Republic   Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E  Firanko Firatini  January  2010 Visited Ethiopia.
• Italy Republic  Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E  Mr. Giulio Terzi Di Sant Agata May  2013 Visited Ethiopia
• Italy Republic   Minister of Foreign Affairs and Economic Cooperation Ministry H.E Paolo Gentilino January 2014 Visited Ethiopia
• Italy Republic President H.E. Sergio Mattarella, in March 2016,
• Italy Republic Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, in July 2015  visited Ethiopia.
• Italy Republic   Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Giuseppe Conte October  9 – 10 / 2018 Visited Ethiopia.
• Italy Deputy Foreign Affairs and Economic Cooperation  Minister H.E Immanuela Delire  2018  and  June  2019 Visit Ethiopia,

From Ethiopia Side

• The visit of the late Prime Minister H.E. Meles Zenawi in 2004 during which Ethiopia and Italy signed the historic agreement on the return of the Axum Obelisk.  
• President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia   H.E. Dr. Mulatu Teshome, in 2016 Visited Italy.
• Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia H.E. Mr.  Hailemariam Desalegn in May 2017.
•    Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia  H.E, Dr. Tewodros Adhanom Visited Italy in February  2009.
• Deputy Prime Minister and  Foreign Minister of  the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia H.E Mr. Hayilemaream Desalegn in Visited Italy in March 2012,  
• President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia   H.E Dr. Mulatu Teshome visited Italy in October 3/2016.
• H.E.  Dr. Workineh Gebeyehu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia visited Italy in2018 and 2019.
• H.E Dr. Abiy Ahmed,Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia visited Italy in January 2019.
•    Deputy Prime Minister of  the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia H.E Mr. Demeke Mekonen visited Italy  in  October  2019.

Economic Relations

• Ethiopia and Italy signed a bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement in 1994 and Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement in 1997.
• The value of Ethiopia`s export to Italy in 2017 was close toUSD 61,319,180.  Ethiopia`s import from Italy in the same year was worth USD 645,175,663.2.
• The current Ethio-Italy development cooperation agreement has been signed on 15 September 2017 for the period 2017-2019, with a budget of 125 Million Euros, out of this 40mln Euros comes in grants and 85mln Euros in soft loans.It should be noted that Italian anchor companies like Salini, Iveco, Calzedonia, Carvico, and AMICHE have been doing business here in Ethiopia for decades.

Institutional framework

• The Ethio-Italian Cooperation Framework 2017-2019 aims at supporting a multi-sectoral approach, intended to contribute to the integrated, inclusive and sustainable development. Successful ongoing and past initiatives could be scaled-up taking into account newly emerging priorities, such as the impact of climate change and migration.
•    Italian development assistance has always taken into account the development priorities of Ethiopia.
• Ethiopian and ItalianDefense Ministers have signed  Memorandum of Understanding MoU in Addis Ababa on  April 10, 2019, to cooperate in the defense sector. Ethiopia’s Minister of Defense, Engineer Aisha Mohammed and Italian Minister of Defense, Elisabetta Trenta, signed the MoU here in Addis Ababa.
• The government of Italy has officially declared Ethiopia as one of the five priority African countries (Ethiopia, Mozambique, Ghana, Nigeria, and Angola)  for potential Italian investors. It also has expressed its commitment to provide financial and technical assistance to Italian companies interested in investing in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia and Spain established diplomatic relations in 1951 and the opening of the Spanish Embassy in Addis Ababa followed in 1962. The relationship between Ethiopia and Spain today is steadily increasing in all areas. The relationship has been consolidated by many high-level visits. Recent visits to Spain by Ethiopian officials have included the visits Prime Minister Meles in July 2010, State Minister Ambassador Berhane Gebre-Christos to Madrid in June 2016 as part of the regular political consultations between the two foreign ministries. 

Visits by Spanish officials have included visits by Prime Minister Jose Zapatero in January 2010, Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in January 2008 and H.M King Felipe VI the King of Spain visited Addis at the invitation of Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn at the sideline of the AU Summit held in January /2015 and the visit of H.E Mr. IIdefonso Castro, Secretary of state of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Spain in April 2017 for political consultation.

Ethiopia regards Spain as one of its major partners for economic cooperation; Ethiopia is a priority partner country for Spain. Ethiopia and Spain are partners in development and to this effect, a framework of development cooperation was signed in 2011 that serves the basis of financial cooperation up to 2015. Spain continued with the same framework but priorities were aligned with GTP Two. However, trade and investment relationships between Ethiopia and Spain are not as strong as they should be. Ethiopia believes that this relationship could be strengthened and expanded considerably. Indeed, it is Ethiopia’s firm belief that the bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement signed between the two countries on 17th March 2009 should encourage significantly greater Spanish investment in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia, while continuing its own efforts to attract more investors of Spanish origin, would also like to see the Spanish Government taking additional measures to encourage its citizens to invest in Ethiopia. One of the main interests of the Government of Spain in the Horn of Africa is the stability of the sub-region to which it attaches great importance. It supports IGAD and the African Union in capacity building. The support is a clear testimony of Spain’s interest to work with Africa and with the regional body (IGAD). Spain, through the EU and together with other members of the international community, is also actively involved in the fight against piracy and terrorism, elements in which Ethiopia, of course, continues to have strong involvement and a considerable stake; Spain has deployed naval units along the coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden under the EU deployment against piracy since April 2009. Ethiopia remains strongly convinced that Spain will continue to work with Africa and with IGAD on issues of regional and international concern.

1. Diplomatic Relations of Ethiopia and UK

The Diplomatic Relation between the two countries are based on mutual respect, true friendship and a common vision for global peace and prosperity. Historically, Ethiopia and the United Kingdom have enjoyed rich diplomatic relations covering a range of areas, including, but not limited to, trade, culture, education, and development cooperation. Great Britain was among the first countries to open an Embassy in Addis Ababa, while Ethiopia was the first African country to establish an Embassy in London.  The official relations of the two countries started in 1897 when both countries signed an agreement in May of the same year. Britain opened its legation in Addis Ababa in the same year while Ethiopia opened its legation in London in 1923. Currently, Ethiopia has Embassy in London and the UK has also Embassy in Addis Ababa.

1.1.  Bilateral Relation

1.1.1.      Development Cooperation

• The UK government, through the Department for International Development ( DFID), provides more than 300 million pound bilateral assistance to Ethiopia per annum. Since 70% of Ethiopia’s budget is pro-poor focusing on education, health, and food security, etc the contribution of the UK Government development aid is quite effective.
• The United Kingdom is one of the reliable partners in Ethiopia’s endeavor for development. Apart from financial and technical cooperation, it is also a very good source of investment. It is the only country that is providing us direct budget support.
• The Ethiopia Jobs The compact initiative is innovative cooperation, which is designed to help finance Industrial parks and create jobs for more than one hundred thousand people. DFID alongside the EU, the European Investment Bank, and the World Bank have agreed to participate in this promising venture.
• In 2018 Ethiopia was the second-largest recipient of UK development support after Pakistan. Furthermore, of the total development aid that Ethiopia receives from the UK, nearly 80 percent of it goes to the provision of social services such as education and healthcare and other direct development-related activities. The UK government has expanded its development work with the Ethiopian government through its support for the country’s industrialization drive and growth through greater trade, investment, and job creation.
• In the current year, the United Kingdom(UK) is donating 15.5 million Euros to help upcoming Ethiopian elections.
• The UK has been providing support to Ethiopia during humanitarian crises such as drought and internally displaced people. At this time DFID Ethiopia is contributing to support the internally displaced people. 

1.1.2.     Trade

• Trade between the UK and Ethiopia is also growing. According to the data of Ethiopia Customs and Revenue Authority, the trade volume between the two countries is 2.3 billion USD in 2016 with a trade balance of 1.1 billion USD. Major UK export items to Ethiopia are Power generating machinery and equipment, General and specialized industrial machinery, Transport equipment, Beverages,  Chemical materials, Medical equipment, and related products.  While major UK imports from Ethiopia are Leather goods, Fruits and vegetables (Fresh or Chilled), Coffee (Not Roasted or Decaffeinated), Leather prepared after Tanning/Crusting including parchment Dressed Leather.
• In June 2017 Ethiopian Airlines has signed a $ 1.5 billion agreement with British engine maker Rolls Royce which is one of the major areas of cooperation
• UK announced that the UK’s export finance available to Ethiopia has increased to 7 billion ETB (£200 million).

1.1.3.     Investment

• Investment from the UK into Ethiopia is growing, albeit from a low base. UK`s Investment in Ethiopia has increased considerably in recent years. A number of British firms have invested in sectors such as mining, food and drink, the leather industry and renewable energy. Major UK businesses that operate in Ethiopia include well-known companies such as Tesco, Duet, Glaxo Smithkline, Diageo, KEFI, Tullow Oil, Pittards, New Age, Startex International, Vasari Global, CDC and Unilever, which is currently opened its factory to produce detergents in Ethiopia.

1.2. Multilateral Diplomacy

• At the global level, both countries have collaborated closely on issues ranging from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the campaign against Climate Change and the common fight against terrorism. The governments of both countries have been active in various global fora dealing with these issues. This has been particularly true of their partnership and cooperation at the G8 and G20 – a true example of the win-win cooperation possible between developed and developing nations.
• The two countries collaborate on a number of issues of common concern, forming a sound basis for their relations at the bilateral, regional and global levels. At the regional level, both countries aspire to see a stable and secure environment in the Horn of Africa. Both are keenly aware of the importance of working together to ensure peace and stability in the region in general and in Somalia, in particular.

2. High Level of Exchanging Visits

Former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn visited the UK for the participation London Somalia Conference on, held from 10-11 May 2017, at a time he met with  Prime Minister Theresa. The two exchanged ideas bilateral, regional and global issues, about peace and stability in the region in general and in Somalia, in particular. The Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt paid a visit Addis Ababa on May 2, 2019  meet with senior Ethiopian officials including with our Prime Minister H.E.  Dr. Abiy Ahmed and Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Gedu Andargachew.

3. European countries and European Union Affairs Directorate Generals main activity with the UK are: to enhance development cooperation, further strengthening economic cooperation particularly at the sphere of trade, tourism and investment as well as cooperation on peace and security at the multilateral platform.

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) recognized the new Czech Republic as of January 1, 1993, and established diplomatic relations accordingly.

• Czech Republic opened its embassy in Addis Ababa, on April 18, 1996.
• Ethiopian Embassy in Berlin is Covering Czech Republic

Economic Relation

• According to 2016 data, the value of Ethiopian export to the Czech Republic is around one million dollars, while Czech export to Ethiopia is 20 million dollars. The engagement of Czech investors in Ethiopia is very minimal.

Development Cooperation

• The current Memorandum of Understanding on Development Cooperation between the Ministry of Finance of Ethiopia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic was signed on February 16, 2018. A bilateral Development Cooperation Programme for the period 2018-2023 was established determining priority sectors as agriculture and rural development, sustainable management of natural resources, humanitarian assistance. The program´s cross-cutting principles are equality, good democratic governance and climate protection. The Czech Development Cooperation with Ethiopia is mostly concentrated in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and People´s Region (SNNPR).
• Most financial resources of Czech development assistance to Ethiopia has been allocated to the sector of agriculture, forestry, and fishery. The main objective is to improve the management of natural resources and to help local small-scale farmers achieve sustainably production, primarily through the support of farmer training centers.

 Institutional Framework

Bilateral Visit

From the Czech side:- 

•     Official state visit of the High Ministerial Delegation of the Czech Republic headed by Mr. Jiří ČUNEK, I. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Development of the CR accompanied by Vlasta PARKANOVÁ (Mrs.), Minister of Defence of the CR, Džamila STEHLÍKOVÁ (Mrs.), Minister of the Government of the CR, Mr. Jaroslav BAŠTA, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the CR and Mr. Martin TLAPA, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the CR.

  From the Ethiopian side:- 

• In April 2009, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Seyoum Mesfin visited the Czech Republic. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Jan KOHOUT rendered a reciprocal visit to Ethiopia in March 2010.

• The establishment of diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Poland dates back to 1947. Consequently, their level of diplomatic contact was elevated to an Embassy status in 1965 with the opening of the Polish Embassy in Addis Ababa. The Polish Embassy in Addis Ababa was closed in 1992 when the country was in a political turmoil following the end of the cold war. The Embassy then has been reopened in 2002.
• Ethiopian Embassy in Berlin is covering Poland since June 18, 2003.
• The first Honorary Consul of Ethiopia to Poland was appointed on April 4, 2009, with its office in Gdansk City, Poland.

Bilateral Visit

  From the Poland side:- 

• Polish President Andrzej Duda visited Ethiopia on  May 7,2017 

From the Ethiopian side:- 

• President Dr. Mulatu Teshome made a state visit to The Republic of Poland in 2018), at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Poland, President Andrzej Duda. 
• H.E. former Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn who participated in the 19^th Climate Change Conference /COP 19/ held in Warsaw (2013) conducted fruitful discussions with his Polish counterpart, H.E. Donald Tusk, the current President of the EU Council, on how to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries. During these discussions, both sides expressed their keen interest to revitalize their relations.
• On October 7, 2019, the third round of bilateral political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Poland was held in Warsaw.  Ambassador Mahlet Hailu, Permanent Secretary of Europe, America, Asia and Multilateral Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Ethiopian delegation, while the Polish delegation was led by H.E. Dr. Maciej Lang,Undersecretary of State for Security, Asia, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East Policy in the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Economic Relation

Before the Second World War trade relations between Ethiopia and Poland were negligible. Poland exported sugar and some textiles and imported small amount of leather and fur.

The crucial breakthrough happened in 1960 when the Office of Polish Commercial Counselor was opened in Addis Ababa. Since then, export of Polish commodities rose substantially. In addition to the diplomatic agencies, also the Ministry of Foreign Trade was interested in cooperation with Ethiopia. In mid 1960s, Poland sent to the Ethiopian market goods such as, tools, cotton and woolen textiles, enamel pots, paper, ready-made clothes, cement and candies. At the same time, negotiations on building a weaving plant were underway. Thus, both countries started to ponder on broadening the scope of possible cooperation. As the Ethiopian government pursued a liberal trade policy, there were no restrictions on exports and no requirements to balance export against imports. A Polish company named Ursus is jointly operating in Ethiopia with METEC in agricultural mechanization. The company has signed 50 million USD loan contracts which enable it to assemble 3000 tractors at the Adama Tractor Assembly plant.  Another Polish company named ASSECO has also signed an agreement of 10 million USD with the Ethiopian Information Network Security Agency (INSA) to support the Modern Energy Market with Information Communication Technology.

Institutional Framework

• MoU of political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries was signed in 2013 during the official visit of the Polish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Ethiopia.
•  A Trade agreement was signed between the two countries on the 26^thof December 1977. According to 2015 figure, trade volume between the two countries accounts only for 36,017,515 dollars. Moreover, the balance of trade is in favor of Poland.

People to People relations

Ethiopia attracted Polish scholars since the beginning of the 20^th century. The pioneer was Izaak Wajnberg, the author of numerous and excellent works on Geez literature. Comprehensive studies on Ethiopia, however, were launched only in the second half of the previous century. The linchpin of Ethiopian studies in Poland is the Department of African Languages and Cultures at Warsaw University. The department, established in 1962 by an illustrious Semitist and Ethiopian Stefan Strelcyn runs a comprehensive program involving Amharic and Geez languages and literature as well as Ethiopian history and ethnography.  Its graduates and then staff members include a few distinguished scholars, e.g. Witold Kazimierz Brzuski, Aleksander Ferenc, Rev. Stanislaw Kur, Joanna Mantel-Niecko.

Slovakia was part of the former Czechoslovakia, until 1993. Ethiopia and Slovakia signed diplomatic relations agreement in 1995. Slovakia has an embassy in Addis Ababa while Ethiopia covers Slovakia from its embassy in Berlin.

Slovak and Ethiopia enjoy historic and cordial relations from 1995 onwards after signing a diplomatic relation agreement. The two countries are working closely on global issues of common interests. Slovak private sector like Matador, a multinational car tire producer was a pioneer to invest in Ethiopia. After the breakup of Czechoslovakia, and the fall of the Dergue in Ethiopia, the two countries signed diplomatic relation agreement in 1995 and the relation continued smoothly. Slovak has opened its embassy in Ethiopia in 2006.

• H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic visited Ethiopia from September 30^th – October 1^st, 2016.
• Ethiopia assigned honorary consulate (Mr. Rosina Stefan) in Slovakia-Bratislava and this has made positive contribution to the advancement of people to people relation.
• Ethiopia had granted Slovakia a vote in a bid for UNSC non-permanent seat for the term 2006-2007.
• A delegation led by Former Minister of Trade and Industry H.E. Ato Girma Biru, and Minister of Finance and Economic Development H.E.Ato Alemahehu Daba (to hold a discussion on debt issues), made an official visit to Slovakia in 2005.
• H.E Mr. Edward Kukan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovakia at the time, and H.E. Mrs. Eva Smikova, State Minister of Economic Affairs, paid official visit to Ethiopia in 2005 and 2006 respectively, in a view to strengthen the bilateral relation.
• H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák has participated in the Finance for Development Conference that was held in 2015, Addis Ababa.
• There is no Framework of Bilateral Development Cooperation between the two countries so far. However, there was a TseTse fly control Project run by the Slovak Republic

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia recognized the independence of Ukraine on January 2, 1992, and established diplomatic relations by the exchange of notes on April 1, 1993. October 5, 2000 – First Ambassador of Ukraine in Ethiopia (with concurrent accreditation) Oleksiy Rybak presented his credentials to the President of Ethiopia.The embassy of Ukraine in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was established in June 2003. March 1, 2005 – Vladislav Demyanenko was appointed the Ambassador of Ukraine in Ethiopia by the Decree of the President of Ukraine and presented his credentials to the President of Ethiopia Girma Wolde-Giorgis on September 29, 2005. Since March 2015 Mykhailo Kirichenko is Chargé d’Affaires of Ukraine in Ethiopia.

On September 5, 2019, the second round of bilateral political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was held in Addis Ababa. The Ukrainian delegation was headed by Director General for the Middle East and Africa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mrs. Myroslava Shcherbatyuk, while the Ethiopian delegation was led by Director-General for European and European Union Affairs H.E. Mr. Mehreteab Mulugeta. During the consultations, the parties discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation in trade and economic spheres, practical steps aimed at promoting political dialogue, as well as other issues of mutual interest. The parties also held an exchange of views on the situation in East Africa region and in countries of the Horn of Africa.

A number of visits were organized since the establishment of diplomatic relations and this fact positively affected the bilateral political cooperation.

March 2, 2001 – the meeting with the participation of First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Y. Sergeyev the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia Tekeda Alemu took place in the framework of the delegation of Ukraine in the fifth extraordinary the summit of the Organization of African Unity.

July 7-11, 2001 – the famous Ethiopian politician and businessperson, an independent Member of Parliament Girma Voldehiorhis (who was later elected President of Ethiopia) visited Ukraine.

January 21-23, 2002 – the Ukrainian delegations headed by the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Y. Serhyeyev visited Ethiopia. During the visit, the meetings with President H.Voldehiorhis, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs T.Alemu, ministers of education, defense, agriculture, finance, and economic development were organized.

In June 2003 – Defence Minister of Ethiopia A.Hemeda visited Ukraine; during the visit, the sides discussed prospects of military and technical cooperation.

February 25-28, 2004 – the Ukrainian delegations headed by First Deputy Minister of the Cabinet of ministers of Ukraine O.Shnypko visited Ethiopia.

February 26 – March 2, 2006 – Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine M.Neschadym made the visit to Ethiopia. The Protocol of An understanding between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and Ethiopia, which defines the main directions of bilateral military cooperation, was signed.

April 5-10, 2009 – the Parliamentary delegation of Ukraine headed by the Deputy Head of the Department of Parliamentary Liaison V.Hamyanin arrived in Ethiopia to attend the 120th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union of Ethiopia.

January 16-20, 2012 – the visit to Ethiopia of the delegation, which included the member of the Supreme Council of Ukraine Kateryna Samoilyk was carried out. During the visit, the connections with leaders of Ethiopia were established and the inter-parliamentary cooperation was discussed.

December 26, 2016 – Political consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Ukraine and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was held in Addis Abeba. The Ukrainian the delegation was headed by Mr. Oleh Herasуmenko,Ambassador at Large, Head of the United Nations Security Council Membership Task Force. Ethiopian Side was represented by the Director-General of the Directorate for European Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia Mr. Kassa Gebereyohannes and the Coordinator for the United Nations Security Council issues Mr. Tsegab Kebebew.

 Economic Relation

Ukrainian export to Ethiopia in 2012-2017 was greater than export to some other countries of the African continent. In terms of export volume, Ethiopia took first place among all Sub-Saharan African countries – Ukrainian trading partners. The development of bilateral trade and economic relations is marked by the consistently high positive balance in favor of Ukraine. Thus, in 2018 the trade turnover between Ukraine and Ethiopia amounted to 96.7 mln. USD (export: 93.4 mln. USD; import: 3.3 mln. USD; balance: 90.1 mln. USD). In the first four months of 2019, the trade turnover between Ukraine and Ethiopia amounted to 45 mln. USD. The traditional structure of exports – steel, grain, ferrous metals, electrical machinery, poultry, and sunflower oil; imports – coffee and legumes.

1. Diplomatic Relations of Ethiopia and Ireland

Ethiopia and Irish relationship visibly launched during the height of the 1984 famine with the work of Irish rock star, Sir Bob Geldof, the whose initiative in organizing the Band-Aid program, mobilized the international community to provide the support that enabled the survival of millions of Ethiopians affected by the calamity. Ireland’s response to the 1984 catastrophic famine remains a vivid memory in the hearts of Ethiopians.

Ireland opened its Embassy in Addis Ababa in 1994 at the level of Charge affairs. Bilateral relations have been further cemented by the high level visit of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to Ireland in 2002. Ethiopia opened its Embassy in Dublin in 2003. Since then both the Irish and Ethiopian economies have grown significantly, trade, tourism, education and investment links between the two countries have increased and the Irish Aid Programme has continued to develop to support a wide range of partners working in health, nutrition, governance, social protection, resilience and humanitarian assistance.

1.1.1.      Development Cooperation

Under Irish Development Aid Program (2014-2018), Ireland has allocated a 136 million Euros for different programs undertaken in Ethiopia.

It had been actively involved in promoting the Protection of Basic Services (PBS), supporting Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), health, environment protection, education, etc.  Propose support for livestock development and dairy farming to be part of the ATA package as Ireland has a very advanced livestock sector. 

There is a model a partnership between the University College of Dublin and Wolaita Sodo University in overall capacity building. This partnership is recognized and supported by the EU. Ireland is one of the key development partners in Ethiopia. In 2018, the Government of Ireland, through Irish Aid, invested €30 million in social protection, health, rural development and women’s empowerment in Ethiopia. This will be increased this year by nearly 7% to €32 million (1 billion Ethiopian Birr).

Irish Aid’s overall goal in Ethiopia is to support the country’s growth and poverty reduction plan and contribute to equitable economic, social and environmental development. Some of the major initiatives they support include the Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP), which provides food and cash to millions of rural people living in poverty.  It also contributes to land rehabilitation and the development of infrastructure. Irish Aid contributes to the Ethiopian Humanitarian Fund, providing water, sanitation, and health (WASH) facilities, and nutrition to those in need of emergency assistance. It also supports projects providing protection and care for women who have experienced Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and support the national health system to deliver maternal health programs. 

2. Exchanging Higher Official Visits

• Prime Minister Meles Zenawi paid a visit to Ireland in 2002  and met with Higher Officials of the country. A high-level delegation led by H.E. Mr. Michael D’Higgins, President of Ireland had paid an official visit to Ethiopia from 2-5 November 2014.
• Ireland Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade visited Ethiopia on November 6, 2017. The Minister met with our Prime Minister H.E. Ato. Hailemariam Desalegne Foreign Minister H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu. The two discussed on bilateral political and economic cooperation, regional and security, educational and cultural links, and global peace and security.
• H.E. Mr. Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland paid a working visit to Ethiopia on Tuesday (from January 8-11/2019. During the visit, he met with Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed and President Sahle-Work Zewde and they  discussed Ireland’s support for the political and economic reforms underway in Ethiopia as well as regional issues.

1. Ethiopia-Ireland Trade and Investment

• The trade exchange in 2016 was 35.3 million dollars and the the balance was much in favor of Ireland (34.87 million dollars).
• Currently, 17 Irish Companies including Radisson Blu and M-Birr with a capital of more than 727,516, 000 birrs are involved in investment in Ethiopia.

3. Multilateral Diplomacy

As per, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000, there is cooperation on equality of partners, global participation (States and non-state actors), dialogue and regionalization. There is cooperation between the two countries at multilateral platform particularly at UNSC.

1. European countries and European Union Affairs Directorate Generals main activity with Ireland are: to enhance development cooperation, further strengthening economic cooperation particularly at the sphere of trade, tourism, and investment as well as cooperation on peace and security at the multilateral platform.