Ethiopia, Italy and Somalia agree to enhance trilateral ties

Addis Ababa, April 15, 2023 (FBC) – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has held trilateral discussion today with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The discussion is aimed at exploring ways of enhancing trilateral cooperation between the three countries.

Press Secretariat of the Office of the Prime Minster, Billene Seyoum, who attended the meeting, stated that the trio held fruitful discussion to bolster their partnership in multilateral diplomacy apart from trilateral ties.

According to the Press Secretariat, Prime Minister Abiy affirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to strengthen the relationship between the three countries. The Premier added that Ethiopia is committed to strengthen the economic and infrastructure links between Ethiopia and Somalia.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, for her part, affirmed Italy’s readiness to partner with the two countries to help them realize their integration in road infrastructure.

It is also indicated that further discussions will be held in a way to materialize this initiative.

The trio also explored the ways how to encourage Italian companies to engage in various investment sectors in Ethiopia and Somalia.

Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni affirmed that that the Italian government will support Italian companies to engage in agriculture, tourism and renewable energy sectors in Ethiopia.

It was highlighted in the trilateral discussion that the relative peace in Somalia has created conducive investment climate in the country.

Prime Minister Abiy also stated that the Government of Ethiopia will provide all the necessary support for Italian companies interested to invest in Ethiopia.

The peace agreement is playing its role in resuscitating Ethiopia’s diplomacy, the Prime Minister added.