Photo : MFAE
MFAE
May 22, 2019
Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Gedu Andargachew met with members of the diplomatic community-based in Addis Ababa at Skylight Hotel this afternoon (May 22).
Minister Gedu expressed his pleasure to serve his country in his new capacity as Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister, at this historic juncture, in which he says, the country is undergoing transformation reform.
The Minister said, “The Reform in Ethiopia has set a clear Agenda from the very outset,” noting that it began with, the releasing of political prisoners and opening up of the political space to opposition groups both in the country and those that have been exiled for decades. “This new approach was with the intention of widening the political space for an inclusive process of Democratic Reform, which touched on institutions, such as the Election Board and the Justice System,” he added.
Foreign Minister Gedu also noted the reform in the economic frontiers, including efforts to give more space to the private sector and expedite creative schemes. He also mentioned the ongoing work of revising Ethiopia’s foreign policy.
While noting that the reform is going in the right direction, Minister Gedu said there are still challenges in the process. In such score, he said, institutionalizing the reform has been crucial, thus calling on the diplomatic community to continue its support to Ethiopia’s reform agenda.
Speaking of the multiplier effect of the reform on peace and security of the Horn of Africa region and economic integration, Foreign Minister Gedu took note of the rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the positive winds of change in the South Sudan peace process, which he says; his country has led as the IGAD Chair together with member countries.
Expressing his and that of the ministry’s commitment to closely work with members of the diplomatic community, Minister Gedu said, “I would like to honor your strong stance in considering Ethiopia as a close friend of your respective countries”.
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