“We will continue and building upon Ethiopia’s history of principled diplomacy” – FM Gedion

Addis Ababa, October 31, 2024 (FBC) – New Foreign Minister Gedion Thimoteos reasserted the commitment of Ethiopia to continue and build upon the country’s history of principled diplomacy.

The 31st Foreign Minister of Ethiopia Gedion made a reception today to Ambassadors, heads of diplomatic missions, and international organizations residing in Addis Ababa.

During the occasion, the Foreign Minister told diplomats that Ethiopia is a proud African country with a long history of statehood and an ancient civilization.

“We will continue and build upon Ethiopia’s history of principled diplomacy.  We will strengthen our longstanding partnerships and forge new ties.

As a country with a developing economy and a very young population, we have a lot to achieve in ensuring and sustaining economic growth and expanding opportunities.  To tap into our growth potential, we will work with all our partners and friends,” Gedion noted.

Thus, Ethiopia will continue to give priority to the region as before its diplomatic legacy, he stated.

The FM also stressed “Ethiopia shall continue discharging its strategic responsibilities in the IGAD region.”

He added Ethiopia values its important role in the Nile River Basin and shall work with all countries of the basin to ensure that the mighty Nile is a source of prosperity and friendship for all riparian countries.

Similarly, the country has and attaches great importance to the developments in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, he elaborated.

“These arenas, continue to be centers of global attention mainly due to security and development challenges. To overcome these challenges, we will continue and renew our cooperation with our neighbors in a spirit of good neighborliness and constructive engagement, to attain the strategic and long-term interests of our people,” the Foreign Minister stated.

According to Gedion, Ethiopia enjoys fraternal relations across the continent.

He also emphasized that: “we will focus on enhancing people-to-people relations and increasing inter-Africa trade, transportation, and tourism. We will make comprehensive inter-agency efforts to significantly increase our ties in these fields with sisterly African countries.”

Ethiopia values partnerships to advance shared interests and will work to further strengthen its strategic partnerships with development partners, he stated, and added “we intend to expand age-old relations with a renewed sense of purpose capable of meeting emerging challenges.”

He further noted that Ethiopia’s recent economic reforms provide a conducive environment to renew its economic partnerships and will look beyond the traditional areas of economic diplomacy and engage in initiatives for technology transfer, scientific cooperation, and robust collaboration in the cultural and artistic fields.

“Ethiopia, in cooperation with friends and partners from across the globe, is destined to play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of the 21st century. In the evolving global political landscape increasingly characterized by rivalry and tension, Ethiopia will continue its traditional position in support of peace, development and inclusive multilateralism.

The FM also pledged to advocate for diplomatic solutions for all disputes and differences, adding that   “we will also continue to emphasize the need to respect the policy independence of states to chart their own path and cooperate on the basis of sovereign equality and non-interference in the internal affairs of states.”

Furthermore he pointed out that keeping our historic commitment to multilateralism, Ethiopia will take concrete steps to contribute to the African Union’s initiatives intended to optimize its effectiveness as the premier institution for regional peace and security, and economic integration.

With 40 percent of its population under 15 years, Ethiopia can rightly be described as a young country, he stated, and noted “this we believe makes Ethiopia a nation of the future.”

The 21st century is a time for Africa to rise and take its rightful place in the world, he stated, and affirmed “we will exert the maximum effort possible to see the realization of Agenda 2063; the emergence of an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa.”

Members of the diplomatic corps extended their best wishes to Gedion in his new role and expressed their commitment to continue close collaboration with Ethiopia.