Ethiopia and the Netherlands have held talks on exploring avenues for deeper collaboration in support of Ethiopia's development goals.
State Minister of the Ministry of Finance of Ethiopia, Semereta Sewasew, met with the Netherlands Ambassador to Ethiopia, Christine Pirenne, and discussed reinforcing the strong bilateral partnership, cording to the ministry of finance.
On the occasion, State Minister Semereta Sewasew acknowledged the long and valued history of cooperation with the Netherlands, particularly in crucial sectors like agriculture. She expressed gratitude for the Netherlands' consistent support as Ethiopia continues its path of economic reform, aiming to strengthen domestic revenue generation and address social insecurities.
The upcoming 100-year anniversary of the economic and trade relationship between the two nations was noted with enthusiasm by both parties as a potential occasion for commemoration, she said.
On her part, Ambassador Pirenne initiated the courtesy call to further strengthen existing relationships and build her network, emphasizing the Netherlands' commitment to a long-term presence in Ethiopia.
She outlined the Dutch government's current priorities, which are centered on Dutch interests in Ethiopia: doing business, addressing migration issues, and contributing to peace and security in the region.
The ambassador also detailed the key sectors of Dutch cooperation: water management, food and nutrition security (including support for government initiatives in seeds and livestock), and health, reaffirming the Netherlands' intention to remain engaged in these areas despite anticipated budget adjustments.
She highlighted the importance of encouraging domestic investment and generating revenue.
The collaborative efforts to develop a cold chain from production areas to the port of Djibouti were acknowledged as a significant initiative to boost the export of horticultural products and flowers.
Semereta expressed appreciation for this project, recognizing its potential to create critical linkages for exports.
The impact of EU regulations on Ethiopian exports, particularly in the agricultural sector, was discussed. The Netherlands indicated their ongoing support to Ethiopian authorities in meeting these standards.
Ethiopian government's efforts to create a conducive environment at both federal and regional levels was explained by the state minister, who welcomed the Netherlands' enduring commitment to Ethiopia and expressed optimism for continued and strengthened cooperation across various sectors to achieve shared development objectives.
The two sides also dwelt on other priority bilateral cooperation areas like migration and the evolving global landscape.