Foreign Policy Research Institutes under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and Ethiopia intend to develop cooperation

Addis Ababa, March 15, 2023 – Representatives of the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) under the MFA of Kazakhstan and the Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) of the MFA of Ethiopia held a meeting in the format of a videoconference.

Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) of the MFA of Ethiopia is the first African research institute with which the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) under the MFA of Kazakhstan has established direct ties, expanding the geography of interaction on global and regional issues.

During the meeting, the experts exchanged views and assessments of the situation in the field of international security, sustainable development, and regional cooperation. They agreed on the need to strengthen the central role of the UN in international security issues and the promotion of Sustainable Development Goals. Particular attention was paid to cross-border issues, such as border delimitation, equitable distribution of water resources, solving environmental problems, illegal migration, food security, desertification and drought.

According to the participants, Kazakhstan and Ethiopia have a lot in common, including a multi–vector and balanced approach in foreign policy, similarity of regional challenges and threats, multi-ethnicity and multi-confessional society, landlockedness, etc.

The experts agreed to carry out joint research on topical international issues, exchange information, organize conferences and seminars, and implement joint projects.

In addition, the participants discussed the foreign policy priorities of the two countries and the prospects for the development of bilateral relations in the emerging new realities.

B.Nurgaliyev highly appreciated the bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as the desire of the heads of state to increase mutually beneficial cooperation. He dwelt in detail on the features of Kazakhstan's multi-vector foreign policy in modern conditions, the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan K.Tokayev on the creation of the International Agency for Biological Safety, and stressed the special importance of Ethiopia, which supported this initiative, for Kazakhstan's multi-vector foreign policy in the African continent.

According to him, Kazakhstan, like Ethiopia, is a strong supporter of integration, and the principles of «African solutions for African problems» correlate with the approaches of «Central Asian solutions for Central Asia» and regional integration policy in CA. B.Nurgaliyev congratulated the Government of Ethiopia on the achievement of the Tigray Peace Agreement in November 2022 and wished successful implementation of all its provisions.

D.Amba Belete noted the similarity of the positions of Kazakhstan and Ethiopia in addressing issues of international and regional security, sustainable development, adherence to the principles and norms of international law, multi-vector and independence in foreign policy, building a tolerant and equal environment in a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional society.

The Ethiopian expert highly appreciated the large-scale changes taking place in Kazakhstan in the direction of democratization of the political system and expressed interest in exchange of experience in the field of public administration, digital diplomacy and organization of research.

Following the meeting, the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions, and agreed to develop and adopt an Action Plan for its further implementation.

The heads of the institutes stressed the importance of establishing cooperation between the analytical structures of the foreign ministries to develop practical recommendations for expanding cooperation between the two countries.

The event was organized on the initiative of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Ethiopia.

For reference: Ethiopia, being the capital of the African Union, the second largest economy in Africa, the largest landlocked country, is important for the multilateral interests of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the international arena.

IFA of the MFA of Ethiopia is one of the leading think tanks in the Horn of Africa region on issues of State development, foreign policy and security. The Institute conducts research and makes specific recommendations to the Government of Ethiopia in the field of foreign policy for the region and the African continent. IFA also conducts training courses for the staff of MFA of Ethiopia.