Kazakhstan and Ethiopia have outlined plans for the development of bilateral relations

Addis Ababa, March 9, 2023 – Ethiopia is studying the experience of Kazakhstan's development, wants to increase bilateral cooperation and interaction in international organizations. This was discussed at the meeting of the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Ethiopia, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the African Union Barlybay Sadykov with the State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia Mesganu Arga, who oversees cooperation with all foreign states and international organizations.

The Ambassador congratulated M.Arga on his appointment and highly appreciated the progress of the implementation of the Tigray peace agreement, reached through the mediation of the High Level Group of the African Union on November 2, 2022. He wished the Government and people of Ethiopia success in the process of national dialogue and transitional justice initiated to achieve sustainable peace and development in the post-conflict reconstruction of the country.

B.Sadykov informed about Kazakhstan's experience of political and economic transformation after the January 2022 events, and also informed about the features of constitutional changes in Kazakhstan that strengthened the democratic legal basis of the upcoming parliamentary elections on March 19 this year.

The Ethiopian side showed great interest in the successful experience of Kazakhstan in carrying out political and economic reforms. In addition, Ethiopian experts pay attention to the effectiveness of interethnic and interreligious dialogue in Kazakhstan.

During the meeting, the sides paid special attention to cooperation in the political sphere. M.Arga highly appreciated the political cooperation of the two countries. Plans to hold the second round of political consultations in 2023 and the participation of the Ethiopian delegation in the Astana International Forum in June this year were discussed.

The possibilities of increasing bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and Ethiopia were also on the agenda of the meeting. M.Arga stated the interest of the Ethiopian side in organizing meetings with business circles of Kazakhstan to discuss the prospects of opening joint ventures in the production and supply of metal and steel industry products, building materials, petrochemicals, fertilizers and food to Ethiopia.

In addition, the parties agreed to strengthen cooperation in the international arena, based on the successful experience of cooperation within international organizations, including the UN, UNESCO, etc.

For reference: There are two positions of Deputy Minister in the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry system, one of which is responsible for political and economic cooperation, the second for financial and protocol issues.

Ethiopia is the largest landlocked country in the world, the second largest country in Africa with a population of 120 million people, the political center of the African Union, which includes 55 member States.