Belgium will continue supporting Ethiopia’s national dialogue: Envoy

Addis Ababa, October 12, 2023 (FBC) – Belgium will continue its support for the success of Ethiopia’s National Dialogue, Belgium Ambassador to Ethiopia, Stefaan Thijs said.

Speaking to local media ENA, Ambassador Thijs expressed his government’s commitment to supporting the national dialogue commission to realize its efforts.

“I think there are two ways… for us as Belgium and as the European Union. That is the financial support we can give,” he said.

I know that the European Union has already provided financial support to the National Dialogue Commission, he stated.

The ambassador added that there is another way of helping the commission in sharing expertise that our countries have, and maybe we can share expertise with your country.

Moreover, Ambassador Thijs said “we put our hope in the big success of this National Dialogue Commission” for Ethiopian people and also for the international community.

He recalled the speech that President Sahle-Work had delivered at the joint opening session of the House of Peoples’ Representatives and House of Federation called for peace and reconciliation among Ethiopians.

The Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission was established with 11 Commissioners by the House of People’s Representatives to lead an independent, inclusive, and transparent national dialogue across the country.

The main objective of the commission is to facilitate consultations among various segments of the society on fundamental issues of the country by identifying the root causes of existing differences through dialogue.

Since its establishment, the commission has been carrying out various activities, engaging numerous stakeholders at federal and regional levels.