Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed its commitment to regional integration, highlighting the importance of its strategic vision for strengthening ties with its neighbor, Somalia.
The Ministry emphasized that Ethiopia and Somalia are inseparable, and their shared future is intertwined.
This came as the spokesperson of the Ministry, Ambassador Nebiat Getachew, gave a press briefing on current, regional and global issues to local and Addis-based international correspondents.
Responding to journalists' questions on the current situation in the Horn of Africa and the surrounding area, Spokesperson, ambassador Nebiat Getachew explained that Ethiopia's pivotal role in reducing the threat of the terrorist group al-Shabaab to the region is well known and understood by the international community.
Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also disclosed that Ethiopia has conducted effective work in conference diplomacy over the past quarter.
The Spokesperson stated that more than 30 international conferences were held in Addis Ababa in the past quarter, explaining that Ethiopia has recently been effective in conference diplomacy.
He said that this quarter witnessed the growing capacity of Addis Ababa City in attracting conference tourism and diplomacy, including the recent “World Without Hunger” conference.
Ambassador Nebiat mentioned that these conferences played a significant role in image building, increasing tourism revenue, and sharing various experiences in one place without wasting time and money.
He stated that the Foreign Affairs Minister, Gedion Timotheos, participated in the inaugural “Russia-Africa Partnership Forum” in Sochi, Russia, and on the sidelines held bilateral discussions with various counterparts to garner effective contributions that safeguard Ethiopia's national interests.
The crucial operational undertakings aimed at weakening al-Shabaab will continue in any way possible to ensure that it does not pose a threat to our national security and that the victories achieved hitherto are not reversed, Ambassador Nebiat said.
The Spokesperson also stated that as Ethiopia and Somalia are inseparable neighbouring countries and Ethiopia will continue to implement its strategic vision in a way that strengthens regional integration in the long run.
He further explained that Ethiopia and the Sudan, have historical relationship based on strong brotherhood, and that they will continue to work closely together in a way that focuses on mutual benefit.
Some fruitful consultations were held with counterparts from various African countries and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, covering bilateral, regional, and global issues, according to the spokesperson.