Ethiopia, Türkiye Reaffirm Strategic Partnership as PM Abiy and Prez Erdoğan Hold Substantive Talks

Addis Ababa, February 17, 2026 (ENA)—Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held substantive bilateral discussions in Addis Ababa today, reaffirming the enduring friendship and robust cooperation between Ethiopia and Türkiye.

Following their meeting, Prime Minister Abiy shared details of the engagement on social media.

“(We) held substantive discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of the Republic of Türkiye. Our talks reinforced the enduring friendship and robust cooperation that underpin Ethiopia-Türkiye relations.

We exchanged views on strategic areas of collaboration and reaffirmed our mutual commitment to advancing partnerships that serve the interests of both nations. I am confident that our continued engagement will further strengthen the ties that unite our countries,” the Prime Minister wrote.

The high-level talks took place after President Erdoğan’s official arrival earlier in the day, where he was accorded full state honors at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

Prime Minister Abiy personally received the Turkish leader on the tarmac, underscoring the close diplomatic bond between the two nations.

In a gesture reserved for leaders of countries with deep historical and strategic ties with Ethiopia, the Prime Minister customarily accompanied President Erdoğan from the airport, reflecting the special nature of bilateral relations.

As part of his official engagements, President Erdoğan laid a wreath at the Adwa Victory Memorial in honor of Ethiopia’s fallen heroes.

The memorial commemorates the historic Battle of Adwa of 1896, where Ethiopian forces defeated an invading colonial army — a landmark victory that secured the nation’s sovereignty and became a powerful symbol of African resistance and dignity.

The wreath-laying ceremony underscored the respect accorded to Ethiopia’s history and its enduring legacy as a beacon of independence for the continent.

Upon proceeding to the National Palace for official programs, President Erdoğan’s motorcade was accompanied by a ceremonial cavalry of horsemen, adding splendor and cultural symbolism to the visit.

The visit comes as Ethiopia and Türkiye mark 100 years of diplomatic relations. Notably, Ethiopia hosts Türkiye’s first embassy established in Africa, reflecting the longstanding historical ties between the two countries.

The current engagement builds on the momentum generated during Prime Minister Abiy’s earlier visit to Türkiye, where he was received with full honors in Ankara and Istanbul — a milestone that elevated bilateral relations to a strategic level and expanded cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, and defense.

Today’s discussions are expected to further consolidate collaboration across strategic sectors while reinforcing the enduring partnership between Addis Ababa and Ankara.