Ethiopia, Finland discuss bilateral, regional issues

Addis Ababa, February 8, 2021 (FBC) –Ethiopian Ambassador to Sweden, Deriba Kuma has conferred with Ambassador Helena Airaksinen, Deputy Director-General of the Department for Africa and the Middle East in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and former Ambassador to Ethiopia.

The meeting focused on bilateral and regional matters of mutual interest to Ethiopia and Finland, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Their discussion also noted the importance of the upcoming visit of Foreign Minister of Finland to Ethiopia, Pekka Haavisto, under the mandate of the European Union.

Ambassador Deriba briefed the Deputy Director-General on the latest developments in the Tigray region, particularly the provision of humanitarian service.

He said the government of Ethiopia, the UN, and other partners are providing humanitarian assistance, food, and non-food items, including medical supplies, to more than 1.8 million beneficiaries.

Ambassador Deriba also said the package is now extended to reach 2.5 million beneficiaries across the region.

Ambassador Airaksinen, on her side, stressed the importance of enhanced humanitarian service to those in need.