Addis Ababa, February 24, 2022 (Walta) – In a biweekly press briefing, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dina Mufti explained the participation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Demeke Mekonnen at EU-AU Summit and Munich Security Conference and achievements gained accordingly.
“The three-day Munich Security Conference was held bringing together high-ranking decision-makers and prominent opinion leaders from all over the world in Munich to discuss the most pressing security concerns,” the Spokesperson stated.
Roundtable discussions, conversations, statements, and debates were made on a broad range of issues, including combating the pandemic, climate change, and corruption, promoting knowledge transfer, and balancing peace and security arrangements in the world that is defined by geopolitical interests, Dina disclosed.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister had participated in two roundtable discussions at the Munich Peace Conference, Ambassador Dina stated. He added that the Deputy Premier also held a number of bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Sweden and Ireland as well as the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, Spokesperson said.
“The first discussion was on cooperation on security issues in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. The second roundtable discussion was on security challenges and way-outs in Africa held under the title: “Rethinking responses: Terrorism, violent extremism and Trans-organized crimes in Africa exploring the causes of such challenges and proposing possible solutions,”, according to Ambassador Dina.
During the Roundtable Discussion on the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister stressed the need for more engagement and radical initiatives for expedited regional economic integration and peaceful development.
Demeke called on the international community to provide solid support to neutralize extremist groups in the region, mentioning the importance of strengthening AMISOM in this regard, the Spokesperson said.
“On the Tana Forum Roundtable Discussion, The forum deliberated security challenges and way outs in the Horn of Africa. The forum was attended by the Foreign Minister of Somalia, Defense Minister of Tanzania, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to the Africa Union, Ambassador Mulu Solomon, Ambassador of Ethiopia to Germany, and Dr. Annette Weber, European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Underlined that armed conflict, insurgency, terrorism, violent extremism, trafficking, and organized transitional crimes have made the Horn of Africa a hotspot in the global system.
Ambassador Dina underscored that the overall results of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s participation in the Munich Security Conference coupled with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali’s participation in the AU-EU Summit were successful engagements over the week bearing fruitful results
“Engagements by the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister at these international platforms have made high-level decision-makers of the world understand the current peaceful situation in Ethiopia and the conflict that the country was dragged into by the TPLF without the government’s choice,”
The leaders explained the positive steps that the government of Ethiopia has been taking to ensure peace in the country such as the release of prisoners, the proposed national dialogue, the government’s decision to withhold troops from entering Tigray, Dina indicated
The leaders were also able to show the world the recent humanitarian and medical supply to Tigray and commitment to work with humanitarian operators despite the TPLF’s continued attack against the neighboring regions, he said.
Both the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister were able to hold sideline meetings with influential leaders in Europe further cementing relationships and securing the support of Europe to Ethiopia’s peace and security efforts, including development endeavors.
Moreover, Ambassador Dina indicated that the State Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Redwan Hussien met with Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan.
“Ambassador Redwan delivered a message to the Prime Minister on behalf of Ethiopian Prime Minister H.E. Abiy Ahmed Ali. The Ambassador also delivered the Prime Minister’s appreciation of Pakistan’s principled position in support of Ethiopia in the international fora,” the Spokesperson noted.
According to Ambassador Dina, Ambassador Redwan noted Ethiopia and Pakistan have laid a sound foundation of friendship and cooperation at both the bilateral and multilateral levels.
“Mentioning the growing relationship, particularly in trade, investment as well as international peace and security, Ambassador Redwan announced his country’s decision to open an embassy in Islamabad,” he added.
Ambassador Dina further welcomed U.S. State Department’s condemnation against atrocities committed by the TPLF against innocent civilians in Amhara Region.
He also reiterated the commitment of the Government of Ethiopia to maintain peace in the country and beyond citing the preparations made towards the forthcoming inclusive national dialogue.
Regarding the commencement of power generation at the Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD), the Spokesperson underlined that Ethiopia maintains its amicable and reasonable use of the River Abay without causing any harm against the downstream countries.