February 15/2021 (Walta) – Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Woinshet Tadesse, and Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Alon Ushpiz co-chaired the 3rd Ethiopia-Israel Political dialogue that was held virtually.
The political dialogue covered a range of issues aiming to further strengthen economic and people-to-people engagements, as well as political relations.
The meeting recalled the agreements between the two countries to jointly work on horticulture, cybersecurity, investment, space science, energy supply, and peace and security.
During the meeting, Ambassador Woinshet Taddesse commended Israel’s support to Ethiopia in controlling desert locusts.
The two sides also discussed ways to create linkages among agricultural institutions of the two countries and strengthen development projects implemented by MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The meeting also discussed challenges of the new political administration in Ethiopia and its reform process, the upcoming general elections, the law enforcement campaign in the Tigray region, and the ongoing humanitarian assistance efforts.
In the meeting, the Ethiopian side also affirmed the country’s unwavering belief in the AU-led tripartite talks on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and its commitment to peacefully resolve the Ethiopia-Sudan border dispute.
Discussions were also held on the renovation of Ethiopian religious sites in Israel and Ethiopia’s intention to open a cultural center in Jerusalem.
The benefits of the agreement reached between Israel and various Arab countries were also discussed, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.