Ethiopia, Czech Republic Enjoy Excellent Cooperation In Multifaceted Spheres: Ambassador Kosek

Addis Ababa November 4, 2023 (ENA)  The association of the Czech Republic with Ethiopia dates many decades back as we are committed to supporting and empowering Ethiopia's economic potential, Ambassador of Czech Republic to Ethiopia, Miroslav Kosek said.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala is in Addis Ababa for a two day working visit to Ethiopia.

Upon his arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport yesterday evening, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received Premier Fiala.

The aim of Prime Minister Fiala's visit is to further strengthen the strategic bilateral ties and cooperation of the Czech Republic with Ethiopia in terms of development and investment among other areas. 

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Ambassador Kosek said the bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Czech Republic is very good, describing it “I would say even excellent.”

The Czech Republic's association with Ethiopia in the realm of development dates back many decades, he said, adding they are committed to supporting and empowering Ethiopia's economic potential, striving for sustainable and inclusive economic growth, the ambassador elaborated.

We have excellent cooperation in multifaceted spheres, he said.

The traditional cooperation even before the Second War and then after are going on though excellent cooperation with Ethiopia as the Czech hydrogeologists who have been going on for more than 40 years is a vivid manifestation. 

“We are celebrating the presence of our development cooperation in Ethiopia, just these days. It is something to celebrate because there are big achievements you could hear about some results, especially in the field of hydrogeology, protection of the environment and agriculture,” ambassador said.

“We have Ethiopia as number one on our list for development,” he stated.

Moreover, the ambassador added that Czech has been supporting Ethiopia’s efforts in mitigating climate change, which this is something we are concentrating on for many years. 

Czech promotes comprehensive rural development, including agriculture, focusing on ensuring food security for the population, through protecting the landscape and managing land and forests sustainability, the ambassador said.

The ambassador further said Czech also focuses on sustainable management of natural resources, particularly water, ensuring  access to safe and affordable drinking water as well as provision of adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities in Ethiopia.

He also stressed the importance of further strengthening cooperation between the two countries in health, cultural exchange as well as in agriculture, sector again.

“I would like to stress cooperation on health, agriculture and cultural exchange as well because both countries have rich cultures,”he pointed out.

Recalling the big potential in the past where hundreds of Ethiopian students graduated from Czech universities and contributed to the development of their country, the ambassador noted " we are supporting the Ethiopian students to come to Czech universities again," he noted. 

Beyond development cooperation between the two countries, there is also business to business exchange between the two countries. 

“We are organizing Ethiopian and Czech business forums in various sectors including health sector, mining sector or from various other sectors. We are preparing a special business forum for the next year again between the Czech companies and Ethiopian companies, especially ...in the mining sector.”