PM Abiy Ahmed returns to Addis Ababa, concluding his European working visit

Addis Ababa, February 8, 2023 (FBC) – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his delegation have returned to Addis Ababa concluding a successful European working visit, the Office of the Prime Minister confirmed.

Prime Minister Abiy and his delegation embarked a working visit to Europe in Italy on Monday and concluded in France on Tuesday evening.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his delegation arrived in Paris, France on Tuesday afternoon for a meeting with President Macron. The two leaders discussed strengthened bilateral relations including increasing private sector investments in strategic and priority sectors.

PM Abiy stated he is “confident that it will translate into strengthened economic outcomes. We very much welcome investments by French companies in Ethiopia.”

During the visit to Italy, PM Abiy and his delegation met with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella, and discussed continued relations between Ethiopia and Italy among other current global and regional issues.

In particular, in the meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the two sides signed the ‘Ethiopian-Italian Cooperation Framework 2023-2025’ agreement which contains a financial commitment amounting to 180 million euros.

The financial commitment of both soft loans and grants will be applied towards key activities within the scope of economic development and job creation within the agriculture and industry sectors and basic services delivery in health and education. The two prime ministers pledged renewed commitment to strengthen partnerships of Ethiopia and Italy.

On the other hand, in the visit to Malta, PM Abiy and his delegation discussed with the Prime Minister of Malta, Robert Abela, other officials to enhance bilateral relations, including cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, maritime, logistics and security.