Dev’t cooperation in multifaceted areas based on EDCF Framework Arrangement pivotal: FM Park Jin

Addis Ababa, August 10, 2023 (FBC) – Ethiopia and the Republic of Korea are communicating with each other to discuss the signing of the bilateral investment treaty and the trade and investment promotion framework to deepen bilateral economic cooperation, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, Park Jin, told Fana Broadcasting Corporate.

“South Korean people still vividly remember how Ethiopia helped the Republic of Korea during the Korean War by dispatching ground troops. To pay respects and tributes to the Korean War veterans, the Korean heads of Missions to African countries and myself will visit the Korean War Memorial in Addis Ababa [today August 10, 2023]. This will demonstrate clearly how much Korea appreciates Ethiopia’s assistance”, the FM said.

Both countries have been cooperating with each other in various areas to strengthen the bilateral ties, he noted.

According to FM Park Jin, development cooperation in a variety of fields such as education, agriculture, health as well as infrastructure projects based on the EDCF Framework Arrangement is an important cooperation area.

“But I believe we still have a lot of potential for our cooperation. For example, we can diversify our trade items, and expand areas of cooperation to ones including people to people exchanges,” the Foreign Minister stated, adding that Ethiopia is the only country that has a direct route for a commercial plane with his country in Africa and the number of direct route has increased recently. “I hope such increase can lead to more bilateral people to people exchanges.”

He also disclosed that the two countries are communicating with each other to discuss the signing of the bilateral investment treaty and the trade and investment promotion framework to increase the bilateral trade and build a better environment for investment.

Mr. Park Jin said he hopes such discussions can be facilitated to deepen economic cooperation between the two countries.

With regard to humanitarian cooperation, not only has the Korean government been providing humanitarian assistance to the people who have been suffering from droughts, but it has also been helping in the health area, especially on maternal and child health to lower the mortality rates of mothers and infants.

Recall that the South Korean Foreign Minister and his delegation arrived in Addis Ababa for a three-day working visit on Tuesday 8 August. During his stay in Ethiopia, Mr. Park Jin met with and held discussions with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues.

By: Melaku Gedf