Diplomatic Relations between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Middle East : -
- Ethiopia shares a long history of cultural, religious and people to people relations with the Middle East countries. It is to be noted that Ethiopia was the first country to provide sanctuary and hospitality to the followers of Prophet Mohammed in the First Hijra (pilgrimage), which could be seen as the best illustration of the long standing historical ties between Ethiopia and the Arab World. Christian religion, remained to be largely practiced in Ethiopia for years, which originated in the Middle East and an ancient version of the Jewish religion was also practiced in Ethiopia.
- Due to geographic proximity, historical, cultural, trade, people to people and religious attachments, millions of Ethiopians reside in the Middle East. Some go there for religious purposes and others seeking job opportunities. They are among sources of remittances for their country. Protection of their rights and dignity has become priority agenda for the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in its relations with most of the Middle East countries.
- The geo-politics of the Middle East is strongly linked to the Horn of Africa sub-region where Ethiopia is located and the region currently has attracted major international players to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to ensure their national interests. The establishment of military base of the great powers and the emerging powers in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea areas make the situation more complex and demands Ethiopia’s interaction and strong cooperation with all the Middle East countries to ensure its national interest.
- The Middle East influence in the area, the hydro politics, the Security interest and power in the Horn of Africa calls for Ethiopia’s high level attention.
- Crisis in the area, piracy, religious extremism and terrorism, human trafficking, illegal movement of small arms and money laundering as well as the recent developments in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden need cooperation and coordination of efforts of the Horn of Africa and the Middle East countries.
- As a result of these historical, cultural, security and the growing economic factors Ethiopia opened embassies and consulates in countries like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Israel, Oman, Kuwait, Yemen and Lebanon. It is also working towards opening new missions in other countries in near future. The Middle East countries like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Israel, Qatar, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iran, Jordan and Palestine on their parts have also opened embassies in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Generally, Ethiopia has a long-standing friendly relationship with countries of the Middle East in terms of language, history, culture, religion and business and so would like to further strengthen the existing relations and also widen its missions. That is why the Middle East is one of the regions that deserve special attention in Ethiopia’s foreign relations and national security policy.
- It is believed that the relationship between Ethiopia and Israel is started during king Solomon of Israel and Queen Saba (Sheba), during the ancient kingdoms of Damat and Axum in present-day Ethiopia.
- An ancient version of the Jewish religion was practiced in Ethiopia. A significant number of persons following this religion lived in Ethiopia and moved to Israel in the late 1980s. These people, Known as Bete-Israel (family of Israel) is more associated with Ethiopians than any other people. These communities are now serving as a bridge between the two countries.
- To preserve its ancient monasteries, monuments and cultural heritage in Israel, Ethiopia opened its liaison office in Jerusalem in 1917 and Israel opened its consulate in Addis Ababa in 1956. In 1989 Ethiopia opened its embassy in Tel-Aviv in order to boost its relations with Israel.
- There have been exchanges of high-level government officials of both sides including that of Prime Ministers and Ministers of Foreign Affairs of both countries which contributed to further enhancing the historical ties between Ethiopia and Israel.
- The two countries have strong trade relations and Israeli investors are also showing interest to invest in various sectors in Ethiopia. Ethiopia is also interested in technology transfers from the State of Israel by utilizing a wealth of experience in Israel’s agriculture, water resources, and irrigation development.
- To strengthen the relations, the two countries have signed different agreements in political, economy, science and technology and cultural areas and these are being implemented.
- It is estimated that around 148,700 Bete-Israelis and 3,500 – 4,000 Ethiopian Diasporas reside in Israel.
- The Ethiopian Embassy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was accredited to Kuwait until 1997. An agreement was reached to upgrade their relations to the level of embassy. As a result, the Ethiopian Embassy was officially opened in Kuwait and started its regular operation in 1997. In the same year, Kuwait also opened its embassy in Addis Ababa.
- The exchange of high-level government official visits conducted between the two countries over the past years show the growing cooperation between Ethiopia and Kuwait. A number of agreements have been signed between the two countries during these visits.
- To strengthen the relations of the two countries, different agreements in the areas of political, economy, science and technology, and culture and tourism are signed and being implemented between Ethiopia and Kuwait
- Effective implementation of the signed agreements in the fields of a domestic worker, exchange of trade, investment, and tourism and development cooperation is needed to further, strengthen the already existing relationship between the two countries.
- Ethiopian nationals residing in Kuwait is estimated to be around 35,000.
- About 20 Kuwaiti investors have been issued investment licenses to operate in Ethiopia and there is a significant amount of trade between the two countries. Kuwait is also financing Ethiopia’s various infrastructure projects through the Kuwait Development Fund.
- Islam may have been born in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia but Ethiopia was the first country to allow its adherents to practice it. Because they were persecuted in their own country, the followers of the Prophet Mohammed were ordered by him to seek refuge in Ethiopia. King Al-Najashi of the then Abyssinia treated the Muslims with kindness and dignity and gave protection. This is indeed considered as the source of excellent relations that exist between peoples and governments of Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia.
- Ethiopians estimated around 800,000 are living in the Kingdom; particularly Ethiopian Muslims go to Saudi Arabia for Religious purposes. Others also go to the KSA seeking job opportunities there. The people to people relations have still continued in a good way and this paved the way for trade relations between the two countries.
- Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia established diplomatic relations in 1948. Ethiopia opened its Consulate in Jeddah in 1948 and later Ethiopia has opened the Embassy in Riyadh in 1978, New Capital of Saudi Arabia. Simultaneously Ethiopia has opened its Consulate in Jeddah. Immediately, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also opened its embassy in Addis Ababa in 1948. The diplomatic ties between the two countries are intended to ensure mutual benefit for both. As a result, high-level government officials of both countries conduct exchange official visits frequently.
- Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia have also established a Joint Ministerial Commission in 2001 with the objective of further enhancing the relations between the two sides. The two countries have signed various agreements in various socio-economic areas to further strengthen the existing cooperation. These agreements are being effectively implemented.
- The Government of Ethiopia encourages the Saudi business community to invest in Ethiopia in the sectors such as Leather and Leather Products;;; Textiles and Garments; Horticulture; Agriculture; Construction; Manufacturing; Pharmaceuticals; Tourism; Agro-Processing; construction of tourist centers and lodges; and Industrial Parks.
- Saudi Arabian Direct Investment in Ethiopia is also growing from time to time. There have been 118 Saudi investments operational in Ethiopia since 1992. Areas of the investment largely include manufacturing, agriculture, construction, real state, and related fields, etc. The total investment amount reached around 663 million USD.
- Saudi Arabia is among the major countries of Ethiopia’s exports destinations. Items of exports to Saudi include coffee, meat, cereals, oilseeds, banana, etc. Ethiopia imports from Saudi Arabia Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products, plastics, paper etc.
- From 2012 to 2018 trade data between Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia shows that the volume of trade between the two countries is 6,561,640,071.55 USD. Ethiopia’s export during the same period was 1,136,771,680.68 while it’s import far larger amounting to 5,243,479,527.33. This shows negative trade balance for Ethiopia.
- The Kingdom is also financing various Socio-Economic development projects through its Development Fund.
- The diplomatic relations of Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates was established in 1973. UAE was accredited to Riyadh embassy until Ethiopia opened its Dubai Consular Office in August 2003. Due to the fast-growing economic and political relations of the two countries, the United Arab Emirates opened its Embassy in Addis Ababa in 2012. Similarly Ethiopia opened its Embassy in Abu Dhabi in 2013.
- After the two countries increased their relations at the level of embassies in their respective capitals many exchanges of official delegations have been made. The two sides established the Joint Ministerial Commission (the first Joint Ministerial Commission meeting held in March 2007 in Abu Dhabi and the second in March 2010 in Addis Ababa, which is considered to be one of the manifestations of the growing relations between the two countries.
- The trade relationship between the two countries has huge progress over the last ten years. Ethiopia exports agricultural & semi-processed commodities such as Coffee, skin, fruit and vegetables, live animals, meat and meat products, cereals, spices, oilseeds, natural gum, chickpeas, kidney beans, sesame seeds, and flower and vegetables etc. and imports Petroleum, lubricants, and grease, vehicles, electronics, woven fabrics, fertilizers, machinery, aluminum, ceramics and Consumer goods from U.A.E.
- Further to enhance the trade and investment between the two countries, the establishment of Gulf Pharmaceutical Industry in Addis Ababa and the opening of the international office of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Addis Ababa paved the way to strengthen the two countries’ investment relations.
- To strengthen the cooperation of the two countries, different agreements such as economic, social and security issues are signed and being implemented between Ethiopia and the UAE.
- UAE is one of the economic partners of Ethiopia in the Middle East and it is funding various infrastructural development projects of Ethiopia such as road, and deep water digging projects etc through the Abu Dhabi Development Fund.
- Many Ethiopians go to the United Arab Emirates in search of job opportunities. And it is estimated that around 150,500 Ethiopians are residing in the UAE.
- Iran and Ethiopia established diplomatic relations in 1950. The two countries had diplomatic representations in each other’s capitals (Iran opened its Embassy in Addis in 1961, and Ethiopia opened its Embassy in Tehran in 1992 until Ethiopian embassy’s closure in 1997).
- A number of agreements were signed between the two countries after the establishment of diplomatic relations.
- There have been also exchanges of visits at the level of high government officials including visits such as Prime Ministers, Vice Presidents, and Foreign Ministers.
- Ethiopia and the State of Lebanon enjoy cordial relations. In 1992, Ethiopia opened Consulate in the capital, Beirut, to follow up its citizens and to safeguard their rights. Embassy of Lebanon in Cairo is accredited to Ethiopia.
- There are few businesses and investments from Lebanon in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian government has a strong desire to see more presence of the Lebanese business community. There are ample opportunities for both countries to further bolster their bilateral relations, particularly to promote investment and trade co-operation.
- Ethiopian nationals residing in Lebanon are estimated to be around 450,000.
- Ethiopia has a long-standing relationship with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It had opened its embassy in Amman in 1962. In 1970, after 8 years of operation, Ethiopia closed its embassy. Nowadays Ethiopia is represented through an Honorary Consul in Amman, Jordan which facilitates consular issues with Jordan. Jordan also opened its embassy in Addis Ababa in 2018.
- Though the two sides had signed earlier in 1955 and also latter in 1984 trade agreements, the agreements were only materialized during the first few years after its signings. There is a commitment from the Ethiopian side to enhance trade and investment ties between the two countries and peoples.
- There have been also exchanging of business delegation between the two sides and business forums were conducted with the objective of boosting trade and investment between the two countries. However, there remains much work to be done to increase business and economic ties between the two countries.
- Many Ethiopians have been residing in Jordan. The Government of The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Government of the Hashemite The Kingdom of Jordan have signed labor agreements.
- Ethiopia and the Sultanate of Oman have enjoyed a long history of brotherly relations which goes back to thousands of years.
- Ethiopia’s embassy in Yemen (Sana’a) was accredited to Oman. Later the Ethiopian Mission in Sana’a relocated to Muscat in April 4, 2017. And also the Sultanate of Oman opened its embassy in Ethiopia in 4th Sept. 2017. To enhance trade relations between the two countries, chambers of commerce of the respective countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the exchange of trade delegations and visits. Associated with this business forum was conducted in Addis Ababa some years back. Such events have importance in increasing the trade and investment relations between the two countries and need to be continued.
- The number of Ethiopians residing in Oman is estimated as more than 300.
- Ethiopia and the State of Qatar are enjoying commercial, cultural and people to people ties. An agreement was reached to upgrade their relations to the level of embassy. As a result in July 1995 Ethiopia and Qatar opened Embassy in Doha and Addis Ababa respectively.
- The exchange of high-level government officials visits over the past few years show the growing cooperation between the two countries. A number of agreements have been signed between the two countries during these visits. Effective implementation of these agreements and MOU is expected to further strengthen trade, Investment, tourism and people to people relations as well as development cooperation between the two countries.
- Ethiopia has a firm commitment to enhance the existing bilateral ties between the two countries and map out other areas of cooperation to utilize the untapped potentials that exist between the two countries.
- The two countries have trade relations and Qatari investors are also showing interest to invest in various sectors in Ethiopia.
- Ethiopian nationals residing in Qatar are estimated to be around 31,000. The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Government of the State of Qatar have signed labor agreement.
