ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — The United Kingdom is actively seeking to strengthen its bilateral relationship with Ethiopia, with a focus on elevating cooperation to new heights, British Ambassador to Ethiopia Darren Welch stated. In an interview with the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), Ambassador Welch emphasized the enduring and strong bilateral ties between the two nations, highlighting their historical friendship through both prosperous and challenging times.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the UK and Ethiopia have maintained a relationship based on mutual respect and understanding, presenting significant opportunities for further enhancement. He revealed the UK’s intention to engage in broad development cooperation with Ethiopia, aiming to become the country’s largest partner for development cooperation next year. The focus will be on supporting business environment reforms, attracting more investment, and ensuring predictability and security for investors, all in the mutual interests of both countries.
Further, Ambassador Welch outlined the UK’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s development, including strengthening the education sector, enhancing healthcare support, and providing humanitarian assistance. He also expressed the UK’s strong support for the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission, emphasizing the importance of inclusive discussions about the country’s future and the need for peace across all regions.
Welch highlighted the potential of Ethiopia’s diversity to be a source of strength and expressed optimism about the country’s future, stating that a peaceful Ethiopia would be unstoppable. The diplomatic relationship between Ethiopia and the United Kingdom spans various areas, including trade, culture, education, and development cooperation, with both countries collaborating on numerous issues of mutual concern at bilateral, regional, and global levels.
DJIBOUTI CITY – The Prosperity Party (PP), Ethiopia’s ruling political entity, has expressed a desire to deepen its relationship with the People’s Rally for Progress (RPP) in Djibouti. The move aims to further bolster neighborly relations, cooperation, and mutual benefits between the two nations. The call for stronger ties was made by PP Vice President Adem Frah during the 45th anniversary of the RPP’s founding.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Prosperity Party, which boasts over 14 million members, is dedicated to fostering development, peace, unity, and cooperation with neighboring countries and the broader international community. He noted that the RPP, under the leadership of President Ismail Omar Guelleh, has shown a consistent commitment to peace and unity among neighboring countries and the international community over its 45-year history.
Adem lauded the RPP’s leadership for transforming Djibouti into a significant business hub and an exemplar of stability and development in the region. He highlighted Djibouti’s role in facilitating important infrastructural projects, such as ports, railways, and highways, which have been crucial in connecting Djibouti with Ethiopia and promoting integration within the Horn of Africa.
“The Prosperity Party believes that the interests of the Horn of Africa nations are closely linked and that cooperation in these matters is crucial,” Adem stated. He emphasized Ethiopia’s appreciation for Djibouti’s continuous support and efficient services, pointing out that the economic, security, social, and cultural relations between the two countries serve as a model for regional partnership.
Underlining the significance of strengthening the partnership between the PP and RPP, Adem advocated for initiatives that would enhance mutual benefits, neighborliness, and brotherhood between the peoples of Ethiopia and Djibouti. He stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to address regional challenges and highlighted shared values such as freedom, justice, equality, and innovation as key to overcoming these obstacles.
In conclusion, the Vice President reaffirmed the Prosperity Party’s commitment to standing with the RPP and the people of Djibouti in pursuit of shared goals and visions, signaling a continued effort to promote and strengthen relations and cooperation between the two nations.