Ethiopia and Türkiye commit to enhanced diplomatic collaboration

Addis Ababa, January 1, 2025 (FMC) – Turkish Ambassador to Ethiopia Berk Baran affirmed Türkiye’s dedication to bolstering its longstanding friendship with Ethiopia through enhanced global diplomatic cooperation.

During a session of the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs of the House of People’s Representatives, the Ethio- Türkiye Friendship Group engaged in discussions focusing on various avenues for diplomatic collaboration aimed at promoting development and peace between the two nations.

Ambassador Berk Baran elaborated on the talks, highlighting that the enduring friendship between Ethiopia and Turkey is anchored in universal diplomatic principles. He underscored the significance of cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, technology transfer, health, culture, and public engagement as key pillars of their partnership.

The Ambassador also pointed out that both nations are actively working to maximize mutual advantages by enriching their multifaceted diplomatic relations. “The longstanding relationship between our peoples spans centuries, and our diplomatic ties have paved the way for extensive cooperation in various fields,” stated Berk Baran. “Our connections span investment, economy, trade, culture, science, sports, and beyond.”

He noted the importance of the recent Ethio-Somalia agreement, brokered by Türkiye, as pivotal for regional peace and stability in East Africa. Baran commended this agreement as an example of how peaceful dialogue can effectively resolve regional challenges and enhance cooperation.

“Türkiye is proud of its role in mediating the peaceful resolution of disputes between Ethiopia and Somalia,” he remarked, adding that the Ankara agreement not only fosters stability in the region but also exemplifies how diplomatic engagement can resolve challenges when all parties are committed to the process.

Fathi Mahdi, Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs Standing Committee, echoed these sentiments, stating that the diplomatic relationship between Ethiopia and Türkiye is deeply rooted in robust people-to-people ties. He noted that the discussions spearheaded by the Ethio- Türkiye Friendship Group aimed to strengthen bilateral relations while addressing regional peace and security issues.

Fathi also expressed gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his instrumental role in the Ethio-Somalia agreement process. The discussion concluded with a strong commitment to furthering the implementation of this agreement, reinforcing ongoing diplomatic cooperation in cultural exchange, trade, investment, and interpersonal relations.