Ethiopia and the United Kingdom (UK) are poised to elevate their ties to a strategic partnership level, marking a new era in their diplomatic relations. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize this escalated cooperation is set to be signed following the completion of preparatory activities.
Ethiopian Ambassador to the UK, Teferi Melesse, revealed in an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald that the process to enhance diplomatic ties has reached its final stages. He emphasized the positive state of bilateral relations, highlighting the ongoing efforts to elevate the partnership to a strategic level.
“We agreed with the UK government to scale up the existing relationship into a strategic partnership through communication with the country’s Foreign Ministry and parliament. The cooperation and relations between the two countries have been strengthening consistently,” stated Ambassador Teferi.
The impending signing of the MoU holds the promise of reinforcing strategic collaboration between Ethiopia and the UK across various sectors, including education, health, manufacturing, agro-processing, investment, trade, and people-to-people ties. This agreement is expected to contribute significantly to expanding diplomatic ties and addressing existing gaps.
Importantly, the UK has refrained from imposing sanctions following the conflict in Northern Ethiopia. The UK government’s recent initiative to offer zero-tariff and tax opportunities for Ethiopia and other nations is seen as a positive step. Ambassador Teferi expressed optimism about Ethiopia tapping into the growing UK market, particularly in the fields of agriculture, manufacturing, and agro-processing.
Highlighting the UK’s commitment to Ethiopia’s development, the Ambassador mentioned that the UK government has pledged to increase its development aid from 80 million Euros to 200 million Euros in 2024. This substantial increase underscores the upward trajectory of bilateral ties. The UK’s investment in Ethiopia, constituting 20% of foreign investment, is particularly noteworthy, with UK investors expressing interest in sectors such as mining, energy, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.
Moreover, UK banks are actively studying the possibility of entering Ethiopia’s financial sector, while experienced contractors in the sector are keen on participating in the construction of a new airport for Ethiopian Airlines.
The forging of a strategic partnership between Ethiopia and the UK marks a significant milestone, laying the foundation for enhanced collaboration and mutual development in the years to come.
