ADDIS ABABA: President Taye Atske-Selassie of Ethiopia welcomed and engaged in substantial discussions with Her Royal Highness Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones, the Duchess of Edinburgh, today. Their meeting centered on various national and regional issues, with a focus on humanitarian aid and bilateral relations between Ethiopia and the United Kingdom.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, President Taye briefed the Duchess on the current state of affairs within the region and expressed Ethiopia’s gratitude towards the British Government for its support during the recent humanitarian aid conference in Geneva. During this conference, efforts were made to raise funds for Ethiopia. The President also reminisced about his recent discussions with the new British Minister for Africa, which took place on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly, where they explored ways to enhance the bilateral relations between the two countries.
The discussions further highlighted Ethiopia’s role as a host to over one million refugee
s from various countries, underscoring the challenges faced due to the ongoing global focus on conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. The Duchess of Edinburgh acknowledged this shift in focus and assured that the United Kingdom would continue to support humanitarian efforts in regions including Ethiopia.
Moreover, the meeting addressed collaborative efforts to improve maternal reproductive health, combat sexual violence during conflicts, and prevent blindness in Ethiopia. Her Royal Highness conveyed a congratulatory message from His Majesty King Charles III to President Taye on his recent appointment, emphasizing the strong ties between the two nations.
