Ethiopia, EU Agree to Work Together on Issues of Common Interest

Addis Ababa December 7/2023 (ENA)The Government of Ethiopia and the European Union (EU) have agreed  to further enhance Ethiopia's utilization of the Everything But Arms trade regime of the European Union.

The Government of Ethiopia and the European Union issued a joint statement following the Structured Dialogue held on 7 December 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The Government of Ethiopia, and the European Union and its member states, undertook a full day Structured Dialogue. 

The Ethiopian side was led by Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of  Ethiopia, and included ministers and heads of relevant government institutions.

The EU was led by the Head of the Delegation of the EU to Ethiopia, Ambassador Roland Kobia, and included ambassadors / heads of mission of all twenty-one EU Member States with diplomatic representations in Addis Ababa.

The Structured Dialogue was taking place in the framework of the 2016 Joint Declaration towards an EU-Ethiopia Strategic Engagement, the EU Multi-Annual Indicative Programme launched on 3 October 2023, and the Samoa Agreement signed on 15 November 2023, the statement recalled.

Both parties exchanged views on domestic, regional, and international issues of mutual concern. 

 

They also agreed to work together on issues of common interest, it said, adding that they have agreed to work together to support national efforts to consolidate peace and accelerate economic reforms.

The representatives of the government of Ethiopia and the EU and its member states expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues in a frank and open manner. 

They agreed that these discussions are an important step in the continuing process of strengthening bilateral relations. 

They considered it important to arrange a structured dialogue, if possible, twice a year, to continue to address all issues of mutual interest.