HPR Members Stress Ethiopia's Determination to Strenghten Relations with Neighbors

Addis Ababa  October 8/2024(ENA)Ethiopia is committed to strengthening its relationship in with neighboring countries, some Member of the House of People’s Representatives (HPR) told ENA.  

Speaking to ENA following the swearing in of the new Ethiopian President Taye Atske Sellassie,    House of People’s Representatives Dina Mufti said the government does want to strengthen  relationship with the neighboring countries.

"We share a lot with neighboring countries. We share similar culture and faith. So we have to work with them."

According to Dina, the very purpose of the formation of IGAD is to strengthen relationship of  neighboring countries.

As a member Ethiopia will work the others to further strengthen this relationship in economic, political, social and cultural spheres.

"This is in the interest of Ethiopia. This is in the interest of the neighboring countries as well. This is also in the interest of Africa and the rest of the world,” he noted.

Among the many interests of the country, securing access to the sea through a give-and-take approach is crucial for Ethiopia.

"We need more ports. This is our natural rights as well. But Ethiopia wants to have access to port through peaceful means, dialogue and give and take.” 

Dina noted that this does not cause any harm to the neighboring countries. 

" Ethiopia is not interested in encroaching on others, or enforcing on others its power. This will be done peaceful," he stressed.

 

Another member of parliament, Kamel Hashi pointed out on his part that Ethiopia is following a mutually beneficial strategy in its efforts to ensure development and in its political moves.

Describing Ethiopia as a great country in the Horn Africa, he added that its people are  intertwined with all the people in the neighboring countries.

Any instability that happens in the neighboring countries thus affects Ethiopia, Kamel said.

Therefore, “we worry a lot about situations in neighboring countries. This is why we are at the forefront in keeping and creating peace in the countries." 

Recall that the new president of the republic while addressing the joint session of the 6th year and 4th tenure of the House of People's  Representatives and the House of Federation yesterday emphasized that Ethiopia has been prioritizing the peace and security of its neighbors and mutual prosperity, focusing on regional economic integration.