Thailand expresses readiness to strengthen relations with Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, June 14, 2022 (FBC) – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia to India and non-resident ambassador to the Royal Kingdom of Thailand, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, Ambassador Tizita Mulugeta along with the Embassy staff made a working visit to the Royal Kingdom of Thailand.

Ambassador Tizita held discussion with Darm Boontham, Director-General of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Royal Kingdom of Thailand about the current situation in Ethiopia as well as bilateral and multilateral matters for cooperation.

During the discussion, Ambassador Tizita briefed the director general about the background and triggering causes of the conflict in the northern part of Ethiopia.

She also mentioned the peace-building measures taken by the government of Ethiopia as well as the humanitarian truce in a bid to ensure the flow of humanitarian aid to people in need in Tigray region.

Ambassador Tizita also addressed the trilateral negotiation over the Great Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD), stressing Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment to resume African Union led process.

Ambassador Tizita further discussed ways to enhance relations between Ethiopia and Thailand in wide range of areas.

In this regard, she reminded the Director-General to reinitiate the various draft agreements between the two countries that remained at a document exchange level, such as establishment of high-level bilateral political consultation, visa waiver for diplomatic passport holders, draft on cultural cooperation agreement as well as tourism cooperation agreements.

Darm Boontham, on his part, thanked the Ambassador for the overall briefing and appreciated the peace building measures of the government of Ethiopia.

He further conveyed the readiness of Thailand to strengthen the long standing relations between the two countries and reaffirmed the need to expedite and put into action on the various agreements exchanged between the two countries.

He also mentioned the importance of the AU-led negotiation on the GERD to resolve outstanding issues among the riparian states.