The European Union (EU) is an important strategic development partner for Ethiopia as it has been supporting the country’s development endeavors in various areas, Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide said.
EU Commissioner for International Partnership, Jutta Urpilainen is in Addis Ababa for a working visit to Ethiopia.
Ethiopia’s Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide held discussion with the commissioner this morning on ranges of issues with a view to strengthening bilateral relations between Ethiopia and EU.
Briefing the media after the discussion, the minister said EU is a very important strategic development partner, which has been supporting the development of Ethiopia in various areas of growth, social development, and other development programs.
“EU is an important strategic development partner for Ethiopia. It has been supporting Ethiopia’s development in various areas in terms of growth, competitiveness, social development and providing multi donor development programs which has been supporting Ethiopia’s growth.”
Noting Ethiopia and EU to sign a new cooperation agreement today he said, adding this signifies strategic importance we have within us, as well as also normalization of our development partnership with as Ethiopia.
“We have also discussed about how, through the Global Gateway initiative EU businesses will be supported to invest more in Ethiopia, which is going to be very important as Ethiopia moves forward in terms of implementation of its homegrown economy reform 2 as its fundamental pillar is leveraging private sector growth,” according to the minister.
Therefore, attracting more investment is very important, he said, adding EU is a major source of investment for Ethiopia and trading partner.
The commissioner for her part said “we have discussed on bilateral cooperation between the government of Ethiopia as well as the European Union.”
Noting Ethiopia is a strategic partner for the European Union she said, adding “today we are able to take an important step forward.”
As part of the visit, Ethiopia and the EU are expected to sign a 650 million euros cooperation agreement.
According to the commissioner, the agreement is an important step which enables the two sides use budget support in the future.
She said that human development, peace building, governance, democratization as well as the implementation of Pretoria peace agreement through the national dialogue and transitional justice are the priorities of EU in its cooperation with Ethiopia.
The commissioner reiterated EU’s commitment to support Pretoria peace agreement.
The Commissioner is expected to meet Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and other government officials to discuss ways to strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The EU Commissioner had discussed with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, on the sidelines of the 78th UNGA, in New York on September 20/2023.
During the occasion, the commissioner commended the progress that has been registered so far in consolidating peace in Ethiopia.
She also stated that the EU attaches special value to its cooperation with Ethiopia and appreciates the huge political commitment of the Ethiopian Government.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency