Addis Ababa, May 18, 2023 (FBC) – Ethiopia vows to further sustain Addis Ababa as a hub of international diplomacy as it celebrates the 60th anniversary of the African Union (AU), according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The 60th Anniversary celebrations of OAU-AU will start from May 25, 2023, under the theme “Our Africa, Our Future.”
All AU Member States are expected, among other things, to showcase major successes, milestones, challenges, and the way forward under Agenda 2063, it was indicated.
In his biweekly media briefing, Spokesperson of the ministry, Meles Alem said that preparations are being underway for the celebrations of the 60th Anniversary of the AU.
As Ethiopia is the founder of the OAU, now the AU, the 60th celebration of AU anniversary will open a big chapter for Ethiopia, he added.
“As Ethiopia celebrates the 60th anniversary of the AU, it vows to further strengthen its commitment to make Addis Ababa as a center of international diplomacy,” Meles underscored.
Elaborating Addis Ababa as the third largest diplomatic hub in the world, after New York and Geneva, he stressed that more needs to be done to make Addis Ababa a comfortable seat to international organizations.
Moreover, he elaborated that Ethiopia is moving from soft diplomacy to expanding diplomacy to cooperate with Latin American and Asian countries on expansion of bilateral ties.
The Vice President of Colombia, Francia Elena Márquez Mina, who arrived in Addis Ababa yesterday held discussion with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Demeke Mekonnen on ways of bolstering the relationship between the two countries.
A High-Level Ethiopian Delegation led by State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mesganu Arga visited Pakistan to revitalize bilateral ties last week, according to spokesperson.
Commenting on the recent development in Sudan, Meles highlighted that Ethiopia has continued supporting Sudanese nationals fleeing the fighting.
Ethiopia believes the peace process should be Sudanese-owned to resolve the current problem, he added.