Addis Ababa, April 9, 2021(Walta) – Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia have held a phone conversation with Denmark’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeppe Kofod.
During their conversation, Demeke thoroughly explained the current rehabilitation and reconstruction activities that are underway in the Tigray region.
He said the government of Ethiopia is still covering 70% of the humanitarian aid delivery in the region and called upon the international community to scale up support in this regard.
Regarding the alleged human rights violations in the region, he reiterated Ethiopia’s seriousness over the matter and called upon support to the joint investigation process of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the UN.
Speaking about the GERD, Demeke said Ethiopia is always ready to reach a win-win agreement that respects its sovereign right to use the Nile water for current and future generations.
The international community should urge Egypt and Sudan to engage constructively to achieve a win-win solution within the AU-led framework, he added.
Discussing the Ethiopia-Sudan border issue, the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to a peaceful settlement once the belligerent Sudanese army evacuates Ethiopian territories that it has forcefully occupied as of 6 November 2020.
On the upcoming election, Demeke said preparations are well underway to make it fair and free augmented by the efforts of the newly restructured and independent institution- the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia- (NEBE).
The Danish Foreign Minister, on his part, appreciated Demeke for the briefing and pledged to support the humanitarian aid efforts in Tigray and the investigation process on rights violations, including the upcoming general elections in the country.