Newly Accredited Ambassadors Express Keen Interest to Strengthen Bilateral Relations with Ethiopia

Addis Ababa December 6/2024 (ENA)—Newly accredited Ambassadors from the European Union and other European countries have vowed to bolster bilateral relations and cooperation with Ethiopia. 

President Taye Atske Selasie officially received credentials of 24 newly appointed ambassadors from 23 countries and European Union at his office in two rounds from 3 to 4 November, 2024.

 European Union Ambassador to Ethiopia Sofie From-Emmesberger emphasized her commitment to closely engaging with the Ethiopian government, recognizing the country's rich history and potential.

“I look forward to engaging closely with the leadership to get to know the country," she said.

She noted the long-standing cooperation between the European Union and Ethiopia, spanning over five decades.

“We have 50 years of cooperation and relation with Ethiopia. There is much that we can do to deepen this relationship,” she said.

Moreover, she stressed the importance of political dialogue, trust-building, and economic collaboration.

“We have more than 180 European companies in Ethiopia creating jobs and paying taxes. This is a huge asset for economic transformation. We aim to enhance people-to-people connections and offer European scholarships to Ethiopian universities and vocational training centers,” she added.

German Ambassador to Ethiopia, Jens Hanefeld, expressed his enthusiasm for enhancing bilateral relations as the two countries prepare to celebrate 120 years of diplomatic ties next year.

 

“I look forward to enhancing our bilateral relationship and working in the interest of both Ethiopian and German people. Celebrating 120 years of a joint relationship will be a strong signal of our enduring friendship,” Hanefeld stated.

France’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Alexis Lamek, also shared his commitment to strengthening the longstanding relations between France and Ethiopia.

“We have a very long history of relations in various fields, starting from education with the Ethiopian-French Lycée Guébré Mariam, which has been present in Ethiopia for the last 80 years. We want to be active in many more fields, including the preservation of Ethiopian heritage, development cooperation, and reinforcing our bilateral ties,” Lamek said.

He expressed his eagerness to work with the Ethiopian government and people to further enrich the relationship between the two countries.

“Ethiopia is a vibrant country with a rich culture and history. There is ample room for our two countries to collaborate in various sectors, including culture, education, and business,” he added.

Addis Ababa is a seat for 137 diplomatic missions.