Ambassador Says Ethiopia, Malta Have Established Strong Relationships in Key Areas  

Addis Ababa, March 16/2024 (ENA)  Ethiopia and Malta have established strong relationships in key areas over the past few years, Malta Ambassador Ronald Micallef told Ethiopian News Agency.  

In an exclusive interview with the agency, the ambassador said that the countries have established ties in key areas. 

The key areas, according to Ambassador Micallef, are cyber diplomacy, IT, and digital as well as tourism, logistics and international connectivity.

Moreover, memoranda have been signed in aviation, tourism, and diplomatic training; and they are going very well, he added.

Most importantly we have hosted Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and our foreign minister has been visiting Ethiopia regularly, the ambassador, noted adding that we have now gone to the next step. 

According to Ambassador Micallef, sixteen Maltese companies are currently exploring business opportunities and establishing business relations.

Recall that the 1st Ethiopia-Malta Business Forum was held in Addis Ababa during the concluded week with the objective of enhancing business relation between the two countries.

“I think trade is the most important form of cooperation. So, I'm hoping that this visit will provide momentum to create trade in areas where Malta and Ethiopia cannot only sell to each other, but more importantly, create new content, create new industries, especially in the digital and educational areas.”

This trade mission is vital in terms of creating trade, but also a statement of confidence in Ethiopia. “We see this (Ethiopia) as a growing country. We believe we can work together.”

He further stated that  Malta is implementing multi-strategy for Africa through the embassy in Addis Ababa.

Asked about Ethiopia's effort to reduce the impact of climate change, Ambassador Micallef said that “first of all I need to applaud Ethiopia because Ethiopia sets a standard with the planting of trees. The planting of trees has been done on a massive and very impressive scale. And I think that's something my country can learn a lot from.”  

But Malta is a country of the sea. So, for us rising sea levels are an issue and we are advocating for greater recognition of rising sea for small island states, which will see that tourism and the industries eroded, he elaborated.

“In the international, multilateral side, climate change is one of those really important topics, whether it's the rising of the sea, or the reforestation of land. In this regard, Malta and Ethiopia have a lot that they can do together.” 

The two and a half years existence of the Maltese Embassy in Ethiopia has been very productive. he underscored.

“As a small embassy we are quite active, but the most important result is seeing businesses talk to each other, create new content, create new industries, create jobs for people.Therefore, this at the end of the day is what diplomacy is about.” 

The diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Malta dates back to the 1970s; and Malta opened its embassy in Addis Ababa in 2021.