Ethiopia, Cyprus Launch First Political Consultations to Cement Cooperation

Addis Ababa, May 12, 2026 —Ethiopia and Cyprus have expressed commitment to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors following their first-ever bilateral political consultations launched in Addis Ababa on Tuesday.

The meeting, hosted at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marked a new phase in relations aimed at elevating diplomatic and economic engagement between the two countries.

Opening the talks, Ambassador Mulie Tarekegn,  Deputy Director General for European and American Affairs said the consultations reflect a shared commitment to strengthening ties built on mutual respect, friendship, and expanding cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels.

 

He noted that recent high-level exchanges, including the 2025 visit of Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, helped reinvigorate momentum in relations. He also highlighted Cyprus’s support for efforts to ease European Union visa measures affecting Ethiopia.

On economic cooperation, he stressed that while trade remains limited, both countries see significant untapped potential in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, mining, tourism, energy, and logistics.

Cyprus currently has a growing presence in Ethiopia, particularly in pharmaceuticals, and both sides agreed on the need to expand trade and investment flows.

 

The talks also underscored shared positions on global issues, including climate change, migration, counterterrorism, and international peace and security. Ethiopia’s flagship environmental initiative, the Green Legacy Initiative, and its upcoming role as host of COP32 were highlighted as areas for potential cooperation.

For Cyprus, Head of the African Department at its Foreign Ministry, Stelios Makriyiannis, described the consultations as a milestone in bilateral relations, noting intensified diplomatic engagement in recent months, including visits and high-level meetings in Addis Ababa.

He said the new dialogue framework will focus on implementing existing agreements, particularly in education and higher education—as well as exploring fresh opportunities in investment, trade, agriculture, tourism, and cultural exchange.

 

Makriyiannis also pointed to the strategic importance of Ethiopia–EU relations and ongoing progress in easing visa restrictions, adding that Cyprus supported efforts to lift remaining EU visa measures on Ethiopia during its presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Both sides emphasized that the consultations mark the beginning of a more structured and forward-looking partnership, with a shared commitment to deepening political dialogue and expanding cooperation in a changing global landscape.