Ethiopia actively pursued intensive diplomatic activities to safeguard its interests over past 9 months – MFA Spox

Addis Ababa, April 17, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia has been actively conducting significant diplomatic engagements over the past nine months to safeguard its national interests within the dynamic global geopolitical environment, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Nebiat Getachew, said today in a press briefing focused on the diplomatic activities carried out over the past nine months and the outcomes achieved.

In his briefing, the Spokesperson said efforts have been made to strengthen bilateral relations with neighboring countries through high-level visits, joint commission meetings, and political consultations.

Ambassador Nebiat asserted that efforts to resolve the misunderstanding and tension with Somalia have yielded results, leading to the restoration of normal diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Ambassador Nebiat highlighted that among the diplomatic initiatives conducted over the last nine months, Ethiopia has made strides in gaining increased international recognition on the issue of access to the sea.

The spokesperson mentioned that in the past nine months, 11 agreements have been ratified by the House of People’s Representatives and 6 agreements along with 33 memoranda of understandings have been signed.

In terms of economic diplomacy, he underscored that the ongoing reform programs underway in Ethiopia are further enhancing Ethiopia’s capacity and influence. The Spokesperson noted that 533 companies have conducted pre-investment visits to Ethiopia over the past nine months.

Regarding citizen-centered diplomacy, Ambassador Nebiat mentioned that 92,043 citizens, primarily from the Middle East, who had been in difficult situations, were successfully repatriated during the nine-month period.