Addis Ababa: Ethiopia’s determined pursuit of economic reforms is firmly rooted in the nation’s core interests and its enduring commitment to the African continent, Foreign Affair Spokesperson Ambassador Nebiat Getachew told ENA. The spokesperson mentioned Ethiopia’s calculated engagement with global blocs, including its recent BRICS membership, emphasizing that all actions are driven by the desire to ensure national advancement and continental solidarity. “Ethiopia’s diplomatic engagement, be it bilateral or multilateral, emanates from its desire to ensure its national interest,” he stressed.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the driving factor in deciding to join economic blocs or political alliances or bilateral engagements, like the BRICS-the emerging economic bloc with multiple advantages, is national interest. However, “when Ethiopia joins such alliances, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it negates or rejects any other alliances or economic associations. The very fact, the very reason that Ethiopia joins this bloc or that bloc is mainly driven by its national interest.”
The spokesperson also emphasized the growing importance of attracting foreign investment through active economic diplomacy. Nebiat explained that “economic diplomacy has become at the forefront of the Ethiopian foreign policy in terms of bringing investors, business people to Ethiopia to explore the Ethiopian opportunity.”
In this regard, Ethiopian embassies abroad are working very hard to explain the new change to their counterparts, to various investment groups, various companies; and note that Ethiopia is ready for business. “And because of that, more and more companies are coming to Ethiopia to check it out for themselves and to benefit from this newly opened up economic opportunity,” the spokesperson stated.
Reaffirming the country’s deep-rooted commitment to the African Union and its foundational principles, Nebiat said that Ethiopia has been an anchor nation in the whole of Africa, with lots of contributions for the establishment of the African Union and the Organization of the African Unity. “Since the formation of the African Union, Ethiopia has been and is a very active member country in the Union. It advances its core principle of Pan-Africanism with other member countries for the realization of the Agenda 2063 in Africa.”
Through its strategic diplomatic maneuvers, dedicated pursuit of economic advancement, and unwavering commitment to its African identity and the continental agenda, Ethiopia continues to play a leading role in shaping its own future and contributing significantly to the progress of the African continent.