Addis Ababa, April 18, 2025 (FMC) — The recent visit of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Vietnam has forged a partnership that is poised to significantly enhance Ethiopia’s prominence on the global stage, according to Ambassador Dessie Dalke, Ethiopia’s envoy to the Republic of Korea.
In his briefing regarding the Prime Minister’s trip, Ambassador Dessie highlighted the historical ties between the two nations, noting that formal diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Vietnam was established in 1976.
He underscored the shared diplomatic principles guiding both Ethiopia and Vietnam, emphasizing their similar stances on critical global issues such as climate change and environmental protection.
Ambassador Dessie elaborated that during their stay in Vietnam, the Prime Minister and his delegation engaged in fruitful discussions with various high-ranking Vietnamese officials.
These deliberations, he noted, are expected to pave the way for collaborative efforts on both bilateral and international fronts.
The Ambassador further stated that Ethiopia and Vietnam explored avenues for joint cooperation on a range of global and bilateral matters of mutual interest.
Highlighting the economic dynamism of both nations, Ambassador Dessie pointed out that Ethiopia is emerging as a significant economic power in Africa, while Vietnam holds a similar position in Asia.
This parallel growth, he explained, presents opportunities for the two countries to create reciprocal market access and exchange valuable experiences.
He specifically mentioned Vietnam’s success in the manufacturing sector, particularly in textiles, garments, leather and leather products, as well as fruits and vegetables destined for the international market, suggesting these as areas from which Ethiopia could draw valuable lessons.
Furthermore, Ambassador Dessie noted the two countries’ positions as major global producers of coffee, with Vietnam being the second-largest and Ethiopia the third-largest. This recognition, he stated, led to an agreement to share expertise in this crucial sector.
As a follow-up to the discussions, Ambassador Dessie revealed that both sides deliberated on establishing a mechanism at the Foreign Minister level to oversee the detailed implementation of the agreed-upon areas of cooperation.
Ambassador Dessie emphasized the strategic importance of Vietnam and Ethiopia as gateways and connecting bridges to their respective continents, Asia and Africa.
This, he affirmed, holds significant benefits that extend beyond the bilateral relationship, fostering broader intercontinental collaboration.