A seminar dedicated to the prospects of Kazakh-Ethiopian relations and current reforms in Kazakhstan was held in Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, February 24, 2022 - A seminar dedicated to the prospects of Kazakh-Ethiopian relations and current reforms in Kazakhstan was held in the capital of Ethiopia.
The event was attended by Middle East, Asia and Pacific Director General of the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gebeyehu Ganga, Secretary General of the Ethiopian National Commission at UNESCO Bezawit Girma, former President of Ethiopia Mulatu Teshome, high representatives of the Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, scientific, public and business circles of Ethiopia, former Ambassadors of Ethiopia, Ambassadors of foreign states accredited in Ethiopia, as well as journalists of Ethiopian Mass-Media.
In his welcoming speech, Ambassador of Kazakhstan Barlybay Sadykov noted the high level of bilateral relations. He called Ethiopia an important partner of Kazakhstan in Africa and expressed his intention to intensify cooperation on the whole range of issues of mutual interest.
The Kazakh diplomat spoke about the results of the first political consultations held in December 2021 between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two states. During the consultations, promising areas of bilateral relations were identified, including the development of a contractual and legal framework, assistance in expanding contacts between business associations, exploring prospects for cooperation in education, medicine, tourism, culture and sports, as well as cooperation on multilateral platforms.
The Ambassador spoke in particular detail about the large-scale political and socio-economic reforms of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev aimed at implementing his concept of a «Hearing State». It was noted that the Government of Kazakhstan has implemented an Action Plan to stabilize the socio-economic situation in the country. The Ambassador informed about the priorities of the state set by President K.Tokayev's obligations to the Government are to ensure the full restoration of the country's economic potential, to implement the planned reforms, to reduce inflation and increase the incomes of citizens. The Ambassador added that the citizens of Kazakhstan will be provided with equal opportunities for doing business. Government agencies are fighting the consequences of corruption in society and the dominance of the super-rich in the economy.
During the event, the Director General of the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry Gebeyehu Ganga highly appreciated the level of bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Ethiopia, which celebrated the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2021. «Despite the fact that Ethiopia and Kazakhstan have established relations not so long ago, our states are ready to work on expanding and strengthening bilateral relations»,- Ganga said.
In addition, a solemn ceremony of awarding the medal of the 30th anniversary of Independence of Kazakhstan to the former President of Ethiopia, Dr. Mulatu Teshome, for a significant contribution to the development of relations between Kazakhstan and Ethiopia was held during the event.
M.Teshome thanked the President of Kazakhstan K.Tokayev for the high recognition of his merits in promoting bilateral friendly ties. In addition, the former President of Ethiopia expressed readiness to work together with the Embassy to involve the business community of Ethiopia and Kazakhstan in the implementation of economic diplomacy, the development of trade and investment between the two countries.
In general, the participants of the event highly appreciated the policy of large-scale transformations of President K.Tokayev and expressed hope for further strengthening of bilateral relations with Kazakhstan.
For reference: Former President Mulatu Teshome Wirtu was the first Ambassador of Ethiopia to Kazakhstan. In addition, prior to his election as President of Ethiopia, M. Teshome was Ambassador to Turkey, China, Japan, as well as concurrently to Georgia, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia and the Philippines.