By: Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — Ethiopia and the Republic of Armenia conducted their first-ever political consultations on Monday in Addis Ababa, marking a significant milestone in the diplomatic relations between the two countries, according to a statement from the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The meeting was co-chaired by Ambassador Hadera Abera, Ethiopia’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Vahan Kostanyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Hadera highlighted the historic ties between the two nations, stating that Ethiopia and Armenia “have long standing people-to-people and diplomatic relations that span generations.” He emphasized the importance of the consultations in strengthening cooperation in sectors such as “ICT, High-Tech and Smart Agriculture, trade, investment, and tourism.” He also underscored the potential for joint efforts on the international stage, particularly in “combating terrorism and working more closely in various multilateral platforms.”
Deputy Minister Kostanyan reiterated Armenia’s intention to deepen ties with Ethiopia, saying his country is “committed to strengthening its bilateral relations with Ethiopia in all sectors.” He added that Armenia is “actively working to enhance political and economic cooperation with Ethiopia.”
Both sides agreed to hold a second round of political consultations in Yerevan, Armenia, on a date yet to be announced.