Ethiopia implements strategy of expanding friendship to boost diplomatic ties with other countries

Addis Ababa, October 24, 2023 (FBC) – Ethiopia has been working to increase and boost its diplomatic relations with various countries of the world through its strategy of expanding friendships, a senior official of Foreign Affairs Ministry said.
The 16th Senior Officials Meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held in Beijing.

Nearly 300 people, including senior officials and representatives from China, 53 African countries, the African Union Commission and other forum members, as well as observers from some international and regional organizations, were present at the meeting.

Since the 8th FOCAC Ministerial Conference in 2021, China and Africa have jointly acted on the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation proposed by President Xi Jinping and made important progress in the implementation of follow-up outcomes.

During the meeting, the implementation of nine programs announced by the government of China for African countries in 2021 at the FOCAC ministerial conference have been reviewed.

The meeting has also discussed on issues related to the preparations process on the upcoming FOCAC forum to be held next year.

Director General of Middle East, Asia and Pacific Countries Affairs at Foreign Affairs Ministry of Ethiopia, Ambassador Gebeyehu Ganga told ENA that Ethiopia has been actively participating at FOCAC forum ever since its inception.

According to him, Ethiopia has been benefiting from the implementation of the nine development cooperation programs of FOCAC including health, poverty reduction, peace and stability, as well as culture and people-to people relations.

Ethiopia has also been sharing its experience it gained from the implementation of the programs to other African countries, he added.

Ambassador Gebeyehu said that Ethiopia has been working to expand and strengthen its diplomatic relations with various countries of the world through its strategy of expanding friendships.

Ethiopia’s diplomatic relation is based on ensuring mutual benefits, he said.

President of the Chinese Follow-up Committee of the FOCAC and Vice Foreign Minister Deng Li said that since the 8th FOCAC Ministerial Conference in 2021, China and Africa have jointly acted on the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation proposed by President Xi Jinping and made important progress in the implementation of follow-up outcomes.

China stands ready to work with Africa to strengthen solidarity and mutual trust, explore new grounds in development and cooperation, he added.

Senior officials and representatives from the African side spoke highly of the achievements of China-Africa relations and the FOCAC.

It was indicated during the event that trade transaction between Africa and China has reached 282 billion USD in 2022 alone.
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is the most comprehensive platform that promotes the China-Africa relationship.

Since its inception in 2000, FOCAC has aimed to facilitate collective dialogue and practical cooperation between China and Africa.