Upper houses of Ethiopian, Russian parliaments ink MoU

Addis Ababa, May 16, 2023 (FBC) – Ethiopia and Russia signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russian Federation and the House of Federation of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

The document was signed by Speaker of the Federation Council of Russia Ms. Valentina Matvienko and Speaker of the House of Federation of Ethiopia Agegnehu Teshager.

Speaker of the Federation Council of Russia Ms. V. Matvienko received Speaker of the Federation Council of Ethiopia Agegnehu Teshager, who is currently in Moscow on his first official visit to Russia.

The parties discussed a wide range of issues concerning inter-parliamentary cooperation and the strengthening of Russian-Ethiopian ties.

Ms. V. Matvienko expressed certitude that the visit will give impetus to the development of the entire range of areas of cooperation between the countries. She stressed the fact that Ethiopia has been one of Russia’s key partners in Africa for 125 years, since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Ethiopia.

The Speaker of the Russian Federation Council commended the dynamics of the current political dialogue between the countries. “We count on the participation of a representative Ethiopian delegation in the Russia-Africa summit, scheduled to be held in St. Petersburg in July”. She noted that within the framework of the Summit there will also be an economic forum where business representatives will be able to establish and enhance their contacts.

The Speakers exchanged views on issues of trade, economic and investment cooperation.

Agegnehu Teshager noted that Russia has always supported Ethiopia. “And today Russia continues to strongly support the Ethiopian people, including on economic issues”.

According to Ms. V. Matvienko, the volume of trade between Russia and Ethiopia does not yet correspond to the economic potential of the countries’ bilateral relations.

Ms. V. Matvienko added that the visit to Moscow of the Speaker of the House of Federation of Ethiopia is a clear confirmation of the firm commitment to strengthening inter-parliamentary cooperation between the countries, and called for expanded direct contacts.

The Russian Speaker also proposed the establishment of a separate group for cooperation with the House of Federation of Ethiopia. In the near future, a group will be formed on the Russian Side, and Nikolai Vladimirov, a member of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building, may become its head.

According to Ms. V. Matvienko, the parliamentarians should also focus on improving the legal framework for cooperation.

The Federation Council Speaker also noted the active participation of the Ethiopian delegation in the Second International Parliamentary Conference Russia-Africa, held in Moscow, and other events in Russia. “We are waiting for the Ethiopian delegation at the jubilee X Nevsky Ecological Congress on May 25–26 in St. Petersburg”.

Ms. V. Matvienko called for strengthening cooperation within the framework of international parliamentary organizations. “We are grateful to our African partners for their decision to grant the Russian parliament observer status in the African Parliamentary Union”.

The parties noted the effective interaction on the platform of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and in the UN. “We appreciate the independent line of Addis Ababa in foreign policy. The positions of our countries on many topical issues on the international agenda coincide or are distinguished by proximity,” said Valentina Matvienko.

During the meeting, the issue of interregional cooperation was discussed. According to the Russian Speaker, in the Russian Federation there are many of those interested in expanded direct contacts with partners from Ethiopia.

The parties also touched upon the issues concerning the training of Ethiopian national personnel in Russia in various areas, as well as prospects for the development of cooperation in the field of tourism.

Following the talks, Valentina Matvienko and Agegnehu Teshager signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the House of Federation of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

The document creates a legal basis for inter-parliamentary cooperation and brings dialogue to a new level, the head of the upper house of the Russian parliament believes, as per Russian Embassy in Ethiopia.