Ethiopia, Finland agree to further strengthen overall cooperation

Addis Ababa, April 25, 2023 (FBC) – Finnish delegation, led by Mrs. Helena Airaksinen, the Deputy Director General of the Department of Africa and the Middle East of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, has arrived in Addis Ababa and discussed with Semereta Sewasew State Minister of Ministry of Finance of Ethiopia.

It is indicated that the Finance State Minister briefed the delegates on the current situation in Ethiopia, especially, issues pertaining to the implementation of the peace process.

She highlighted the overall situation and the strides taken by the Ethiopian government to reach and provide basic services to conflict-affected areas.

Mrs Helena, for her part, said that her government has not scaled down but continued its assistance even at the time of Covid-19 pandemic and the conflict.

The overall priority sectors which are basically, water and sanitation, climate smart agriculture including emergency response and early warning system and private sector development, she said.

The Finnish official has also reaffirmed support to the ongoing development plan in Ethiopia and engagement of the new government of Finland.

Moreover, both sides agreed to further strengthen the overall cooperation between the two countries and proactively engage to further improvement of the overall implementation of the existing projects and work on new initiatives, as per MoF.