Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed meets with Vice President of Colombia Francia Márquez

Addis Ababa, May 18, 2023 (FBC) – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met and held a discussion with Francia Elena Márquez Mina, Vice President of Colombia.

The Prime Minister underscored that both Ethiopia and Colombia will work to strengthen bilateral ties.

He also believes that the two countries will explore opportunities for collaboration in various areas.

The Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez has arrived in Addis Ababa on May 17, 2023. She started her working visit to Ethiopia by holding discussions with Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and other high-level federal government officials.

During the meeting, DPM & FM Demeke told the vice president that Ethiopia is interested in working in cooperation with Colombia in the fields of trade, investment, tourism, aviation, and technology.

He expressed his appreciation for Colombia’s decision to reopen its embassy in Ethiopia after 50 years, reminding that the two countries have similar experience in international forums.

For her part, Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez stated that one of the reasons for Colombia reopening its embassy in Ethiopia is Ethiopia’s strong influence in Africa and the region, and pointed out that the decision aims to improve the relationship between the two countries.

She affirmed Colombia’s readiness to cooperate with Ethiopia on regional and continental levels as well as on multilateral platforms.

Following the discussions, Ethiopia and Colombia also signed a memorandum of understanding to revive their bilateral ties and scale up cooperation in multifaceted areas.

It is noted that Ethiopia and Colombia began official diplomatic relations in 1947, and the country opened its embassy in Addis Ababa in 1967 and closed it in 1974.