Ethiopia, EU agree to support national efforts to consolidate peace, accelerate economic reforms

Addis Ababa, December 7, 2023 (FBC) – The Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the European Union issued a joint statement following the Structured Dialogue held on 7 December 2023.

The Government of Ethiopia, and the European Union and its Member States, undertook a full day Structured Dialogue on Thursday.

The Ethiopian side is led by Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and included Ministers and Heads of relevant Government institutions.

The EU is led by the Head of the Delegation of the EU to Ethiopia, Ambassador Roland Kobia, and included Ambassadors / Heads of Mission of all twenty-one EU Member States with diplomatic representations in Addis Ababa.

The Structured Dialogue is taking place in the framework of the 2016 Joint Declaration towards an EU-Ethiopia Strategic Engagement, the EU Mullti-Annual Indicative Programme launched on 3 October 2023, and the Samoa Agreement signed on 15 November 2023.

The two sides have agreed to further enhance Ethiopia’s utilization of the Everything But Arms trade regime of the European Union.

Both parties exchanged views on domestic, regional, and international issues of mutual concern. They agreed to work together on issues of common interest.

They have also agreed to work together to support national efforts to consolidate peace and accelerate economic reforms.

The representatives of the Government of Ethiopia and the EU and its Member States expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues in a frank and open manner.

They agreed that these discussions are an important step in the continuing process of strengthening bilateral relations.

They considered it important to arrange a structured dialogue, if possible, twice a year, to continue to address all issues of mutual interest.