The Government of Ethiopia and the European Union (EU) convened their second Structured Dialogue in Addis Ababa, advancing discussions on critical areas of shared interest.
The Ethiopian delegation, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedion Timothewos, engaged with a high-level EU delegation headed by Ambassador Sofie From-Emmesberger, alongside 21 Ambassadors and Heads of Mission representing EU Member States. The meeting underscores a continued effort to strengthen ties and address regional and global priorities collaboratively.
The dialogue centred on three focal areas: regional peace, stability, and recovery, including counter-terrorism; economic development, finance, and environmental cooperation; and collaboration within multilateral frameworks. Both sides reiterated their commitment to deepening bilateral relations and advancing shared goals, building on progress from the first Structured Dialogue held in December 2023. This engagement aligns with the 2016 Joint Declaration toward an EU-Ethiopia Strategic Partnership and is further reinforced by the Samoa Agreement signed on 15 November 2023.
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Ethiopia-EU relations are bolstered by various financial and trade initiatives, including the EU Multi-Annual Indicative Programme for Ethiopia, launched in October 2023, and the EU’s Everything But Arms trade regime. Additionally, bilateral projects led by individual EU Member States continue to play a pivotal role in supporting Ethiopia’s economic and developmental ambitions. These frameworks reflect a shared vision for fostering sustainable development and stability in Ethiopia and the broader region.
Both parties emphasised the importance of maintaining open dialogue and collaborative mechanisms to address regional challenges, stimulate economic growth, and promote environmental sustainability.
The ongoing partnership highlights Ethiopia’s growing role as a strategic partner for the EU in Africa, with cooperation expected to deepen further through upcoming initiatives and multilateral engagements.
