Tánaiste meets Ethiopian President and Prime Minister

Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence, Micheál Martin TD arrived in Addis Ababa yesterday to begin the Ethiopian part of his four-day visit to the Horn of Africa. This year, Ireland and Ethiopia celebrate thirty years of formal diplomatic relations.

The Tánaiste’s first engagements were with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Sahlework Zewde, where the Tánaiste emphasised the importance that Ireland and the EU place on a stable and peaceful Ethiopia, and discussed Ireland’s support, including for the process of post-conflict reconstruction and recovery. Ethiopia is home to Ireland’s largest development cooperation programme.

Speaking after his meetings with Prime Minister Abiy, the Tánaiste said:

“I am delighted to be in Ethiopia on the 30th anniversary of the opening of our Embassy in Addis Ababa. Ireland is committed to continued solidarity with the people of Ethiopia in building peace and prosperity, and overcoming humanitarian challenges. I was pleased to share reflections from the Irish experience with Prime Minister Abiy today, including the challenges of fostering inclusive dialogue, transitional justice and economic development which puts ‘the furthest behind first’.”

While in Addis Ababa, the Tánaiste also met with Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, the Executive Secretary of the regional organisation of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). They discussed the challenges and opportunities of peace and development in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Sudan and South Sudan, and signed a strategic Partnership Framework Agreement. Engagement on conflict mediation, peace accord implementation, and climate and security, are current areas of partnership between Ireland and IGAD

Speaking after signing the Memorandum of Understanding MoU, the Tánaiste said:

“IGAD is playing a vital role in promoting peace and development in the Horn of Africa. I was delighted to meet with Dr Workneh today and to discuss our growing partnership.”

The Tánaiste also met with representatives of NGO’s supported by Ireland working in Ethiopia on areas from food security and nutrition, to climate action, and gender equality.

At an evening reception to mark 30 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Ethiopia, the Tánaiste reiterated Ireland’s commitment to ongoing solidarity with the people of Ethiopia and deep appreciation of the work of Ireland’s humanitarian and development partners.

ENDS

18 July 2024

Press Office

Notes for editors:

• Over the last five years, Ireland has provided over €415 million in bilateral funding to partners in the Horn of Africa working to provide humanitarian and long-term development assistance to vulnerable populations (primarily in Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan and Kenya), as well as providing support for conflict resolution and actions to counter the impact of climate change.

• At the height of the Horn food and drought crisis in 2022, Ireland’s bilateral investment in the region reached €102m. Last year Ireland spent over €85 million in the Horn.

• The IGAD is a regional organisation dedicated to the acceleration of regional integration and cross border cooperation between its eight member states (Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda). Its work focuses on food and nutrition security; climate; regional market and infrastructure; inclusive development; and peace and security.