Addis Ababa, September 24, 2024 (FBC) – The Foreign Minister of Ethiopia Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Monday emphasized the importance of lifting bilateral cooperation between their countries in various fields to a new level.
The two foreign ministers met and held a discussion in New York on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA79) on September 23, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia.
During the course of the meeting, Foreign Minister Taye mentioning the fact that Ethiopia and China enjoy longstanding diplomatic relations founded on strong historical ties stated the recent signing of key agreements during the 4th FOCAC Summit in Beijing help to immensely bolster the multifaceted ties.
Noting FOCAC Summit as a resounding success, Ambassador Taye said, the Summit is pivotal in further enhancing not only China-Africa ties but also the strategic partnership between Ethiopia and China.
Ethiopia prizes its relations with China, and firmly pursues the one-China policy, he said, adding that his country looks forward to expanding cooperation in various fields and achieving more results.
In international and regional affairs, Ethiopia is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China, jointly oppose unilateralism and hegemonism, and safeguard international fairness and justice, he said.
Foreign Minister Yi, on his part, commended the key role Ethiopia plays in regional as well as African affairs and stressed the continued significance of the “All Weather Strategic Partnership” agreement between the two countries to anchor cooperation in several fields. He informed Ambassador Taye of his country’s firm commitment to implementing the economic cooperation projects and the tax-exempt market opportunities as a result of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit to China during the 4th FOCAC Summit.
Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, recalled that Ethiopia-China bilateral ties have always been at the forefront of his country’s cooperation with Africa.
He urged the two countries to follow the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and seize the chance of implementing the outcomes of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to lift cooperation in various fields to a new level.
As major developing countries and important members of the “Global South,” both China and Ethiopia have the unwavering commitment of defying hegemony and upholding justice, he said, urging the two nations to strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs and make greater contribution to world peace and development.
In addition to bilateral matters, Ambassador Taye also briefed Foreign Minister Yi on regional peace and security in the Horn of Africa. They also exchanged views on ways of enhancing cooperation in BRICS and various international fora between Ethiopia and China.