Ethiopia key strategic partner for EU, Sweden: Irina S Nyoni

Addis Ababa, April 29, 2023 (FBC) – Deputy Director-General, Head of Africa Department at Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Irina S Nyoni, said that Ethiopia is a key strategic partner for the EU in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea and that the EU stands ready to support further progress on the path towards lasting peace.

In an exclusive interview with Fana Broadcasting Corporate, Irina S Nyoni disclosed EU’s full supports to the agreement for lasting peace through a permanent cessation of hostilities (CoHA) concluded between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation.

She said that subject to its sustained implementation, the EU will progressively normalise relations with Ethiopia and return to a full and strengthened strategic engagement with the country.

Regarding the implementation of the transitional Justice system, the Deputy Director-General said that accountability and transitional justice are particularly important of the implementations adding the EU is closely monitoring the process as it is critical to gain lasting peace.

She commended that the process of the implementation of the transitional Justice system needs to be inclusive enough to maintain sustainable peace by including all actors of the nation.

Regarding the High-level visit by EU Africa Directors in Addis Ababa Irina said that it illustrates the strong partnership that EU has with Ethiopia as the country is a key strategic partner for both EU and Sweden.

She said that it is also an important visit on the situation in the region where it will let both sides to strengthen cooperation.

The Africa Directors of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of EU member states arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for a two-day visit.

It is stated that EU-Africa relations on top of the agenda in Addis Ababa.

The visit takes place amidst violent clashes in neighbouring Sudan, and comes just days after EU Foreign Ministers adopted conclusions stressing the EU’s engagement to support the ongoing peace process in Ethiopia.

During the two-day high-level working visit, discussions conducted with focuses on three thematic issues: EU-Ethiopia relations, regional Horn of Africa-affairs with a specific focus on the latest developments in Sudan and the EU-AU partnership.