Ethiopia Calls Türkiye’s Backing for Peaceful Sea Access as PM Abiy, Prez Erdoğan Address Press

Addis Ababa, February 17, 2026 (ENA)—Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday called on Türkiye to support Ethiopia’s efforts to secure peaceful access to the sea, as he held a joint press conference with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the National Palace in Addis Ababa.

Addressing the media following their bilateral talks, Prime Minister Abiy stressed that sustaining Ethiopia’s rapid economic growth requires resolving structural bottlenecks, particularly in logistics and maritime access.

He noted that Ethiopia, with a population of over 130 million, has remained landlocked for decades contrary to global economic trends, describing the situation as historically unjust.

“The sustainability of our growth cannot be ensured if a nation of over 130 million people continues to be denied access to the sea and remains a geographic prisoner,” Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said. “Such a reality runs counter to prevailing global practices and contemporary economic trends.”

​​​​​The Premier further stated that Ethiopia and Türkiye held extensive discussions on how friendly nations like Türkiye can play a constructive diplomatic role in supporting Ethiopia’s quest to obtain sea access through peaceful and mutually beneficial means.

He underlined that logistics remains one of the biggest bottlenecks to Ethiopia’s development, emphasizing that sea access is key to unlocking the country’s full economic potential.

In that regard, the Prime Minister expressed appreciation for President Erdoğan’s engagement on the matter.

The two leaders also agreed to scale up bilateral trade to at least one billion US dollars and beyond by diversifying business sectors and encouraging more Turkish companies to invest in Ethiopia — both for the domestic market and for export to Africa.

 

PM Abiy highlighted that Ethiopia is among the fastest-growing economies globally and is expecting 10.2 percent growth this fiscal year.

The leaders further agreed to strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism and deepen collaboration in multilateral platforms, including climate diplomacy, as Türkiye prepares to host COP this year and Ethiopia 2027.

For his part, Turkish President Erdoğan said cooperation in railway and transport infrastructure, factories, tourism facilities and power transmission lines will continue to expand.

“Inshallah, God willing, this will even increase further,” he said.

Erdoğan stressed that Türkiye attaches great importance to advancing its longstanding relations with the friendly people of Ethiopia.

He congratulated Prime Minister Abiy on Ethiopia’s political, social and economic transformation and underlined the country’s growing importance in the Horn of Africa.

Erdoğan noted, expressing confidence that the visit would contribute to regional peace and stability.

The joint press conference marked a significant moment in President Erdoğan’s official visit, reinforcing the expanding strategic partnership between Ethiopia and Türkiye.