Ethiopia, Germany explore avenues to deepening ties in parliamentary diplomacy

Addis Ababa, February 13, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopia and Germany engaged in deliberations aimed at enhancing parliamentary diplomacy and fostering people-to-people relations between the two nations.

The meeting took place between the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs of the FDRE House of Peoples’ Representatives (HoPR) and a delegation comprising nine members from Germany, led by Monika Grutters, Head of the German Federal Parliament’s Committee for the UN, International Organizations and Civil Conflict Prevention

During the discourse between the two dignitaries, Fetihi Mahdi, Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Committee, articulated that the deliberations were centered on the anticipated role of parliamentarians in bolstering bilateral relations and exploring future collaborative prospects, alongside the sharing of expertise in the realm of parliamentary diplomacy.

Fetihi reminded that the two nations boast a history spanning over a century of parliamentary diplomacy and people-to-people relations. She emphasized that this relationship is poised to undergo further enhancement, particularly in fields such as agricultural technology, trade, investment, and various other sectors.

Reflecting on the implementation of the Pretoria peace agreement signed between the federal government and TPLF on 2 November 2022, Fetihi asserted that the Ethiopian government has allocated 37 billion birr for the reconstruction and rehabilitation Tigray region. The implementation of the Pretoria accord commenced with the establishment of an interim regional administration. Furthermore, she appealed to Germany to continue its support to Ethiopia’s endeavors in building a climate-resilient green economy and rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the Tigray region.

Ambassador Tofiq Abdullahi, a member of the Standing Committee, emphasized that the amicable rapport between Ethiopia and Germany is founded upon mutual advantage and is poised for further consolidation. He further advocated for the enhancement of the strategic partnership between the two nations in parliamentary diplomacy, technology, trade, agriculture, education, and various other sectors.

In her remarks, Monika Grutters, the head of the German delegation, discussed Ethiopia’s climate change policy, affirming her country’s readiness to fortify the longstanding multifaceted relations between the two countries.

In addition, Monika Grutters aslo held talks with State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mesganu Arga where both parties discussed bilateral relations and international issues of mutual concern.