The 125 years of bilateral relations between Ethiopia, Russia marked by true friendship, mutual trust: Ambassador

Addis Ababa, April 18, 2023 (FBC) – Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Ethiopia, Evgeny Terekhin said that the diplomatic relationship between Ethiopia and Russia was established in 1898 a couple of years after the historic Adwa Victory, and since then the two countries have been enjoying time tested relations.

In an exclusive interview with Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC), Ambassador Evgeny Terekhin said that the first Russian medical team arrived in Ethiopia in 1896 months after the battle of Adwa and treated thousands of wounded Ethiopians, and this laid the foundation for the thriving cooperation between the two countries in several socio economic spheres such as health and education.

When Ethiopia fell victim to the fascist aggression in 1935, the Soviet Union was the first country that strongly condemned the aggression in the League of Nations, he added.

The 125 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries has passed a long and great journey in both good and bad times, and this helped the two nations broaden their cooperation in multifaceted areas of cooperation, the Ambassador pointed out.

The visit of Emperor Haile Selassie to the Soviet Union in 1959 was the phenomenon which served as a basis for modern diplomatic relations between the two nations.

“Russia founded the Dejazmach Balcha Hospital of the Russian Red Cross in 1947 in Addis Ababa and this laid the foundation for close people to people ties between Russia and Ethiopia,” he explained.

“It was the basis for medical cooperation between our countries that later provided basis for establishing a permanent Russian hospital in Ethiopia.”

“Russia founded Bahir Dar Polytechnic Institute in 1966 and Melka Wakena Hydroelectric Dam in 1989 and established a number of vocational education and training institutes in different parts of Ethiopia in a way to foster bilateral cooperation with the nation,” he indicated.

The Ambassador added: “more than 23,000 Ethiopian students attended their higher education in universities of Russia, and we are still facilitating free scholarships for Ethiopians to enhance collaboration in the education sector.”

Regarding the progress of the bilateral ties between the two countries, the Ambassador indicated that the discussion held between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Putin in Sochi on the sidelines of the first Russia-Africa Summit in October 2019 was also a milestone that paved ways to enhance multifaceted cooperation.

Following the discussions held at the leaders’ level, the two nations have signed a wide range of agreements including peaceful use of nuclear energy, space navigation, science and technology, and working together accordingly, the Ambassador noted.

The Coordinating Committee for Economic Cooperation with African Countries (AFROCOM) which officially opened its office in Addis Ababa has been working to promote trade and investment cooperation. Russian business delegation recently came to Addis Ababa and held discussions with Ethiopian Investment Commission officials on ways of bolstering ties.

Russian musical ensembles have presented their works to Ethiopians in Addis Ababa two times since last year, and this is a step taken to foster cultural cooperation, and activities are underway to conduct similar activities from the Ethiopian side.

The ruling parties of the two countries have also signed MoU to cement their cooperation in a wide range of areas, the Ambassador indicated.

The 125 diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Russia has resulted in remarkable achievements, and during this long period the two nations have forged high level cordial ties marked by true friendship, mutual trust and sympathy, he added.

Ethiopia and Russia are set to mark the 125 Anniversary of their diplomatic relations with various events this year.

By: Wondesen Aregahegn