The President of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde, reported that at the inauguration last Monday of the sixth year and third term of the joint session of the House of Representatives, the goal was to achieve national economic growth of 7.9 percent in the current fiscal year People’s Representatives (Parliament) and the House of Federation (Upper House).
Zewde stated that to increase the productivity of the agricultural sector, they will sow 22 million hectares of land with seeds of various crops, with an expected harvest of 810 million quintals. Another line to pursue is the implementation of strict fiscal and monetary policies to reduce inflation.
With a view to increasing production and productivity, they will take measures to reduce inflationary pressures arising from product supply. Work is also being done to reduce risks from trade in import substitutes, he emphasized.
In terms of foreign policy, however, the President reaffirmed the will to ensure the security of people and peace in the country, as well as the obligation to end differences through peaceful dialogue. He mentioned that the Pretoria Peace Agreement ended the two-year conflict in the north of the country.
He stressed that Ethiopia’s diplomacy is recovering from international pressure and returning to a regular relationship by paying due attention to neighboring countries in trade relations.
He explained that in the new period of 2023/2024, they will carry out diplomatic work in accordance with international law to resolve outstanding border issues on the basis of national interests and a sustainable neighborly relationship.
“Ethiopia’s foreign relations will focus on increasing the number of friendly countries, reducing hostilities and welcoming development partners,” he stressed.
Referring to the various multilateral and bilateral diplomatic activities on issues of international and regional concern, he mentioned, among other things, Addis Ababa’s membership in the Brics Group as a recognition of the country’s long diplomatic history.
“Ethiopia’s membership in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is a national glory that improves the country’s acceptance on the international stage,” he said.
Ethiopia, Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will be new members of this economic group with full rights from January 1, 2024.
Since last Sunday, IOM Director General Amy Pope paid a three-day official visit to the African country, during which she was received by senior government and African Union (AU) officials.
Pope spoke with Zewde, who stressed the need to redouble efforts to support the four million displaced people, and reported on Addis Ababa’s plans to organize a regional ministerial meeting on migration.
The visitor reiterated the commitment to strengthen the good relations between IOM and the Ethiopian government. “Our partnership ensures that migration continues to offer opportunities for everyone,” he emphasized.
The work agenda of the Secretary-General of this United Nations organization included a meeting with Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, where he expressed his desire to build a solid partnership with the national government.
For his part, Pope stressed that his visit to Addis Ababa, the political capital of Africa, was a testimony of close cooperation.
He also spoke to AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat about how both sides can work together to harness the potential of human mobility in Africa by creating more regular routes for migrants.
Amy Pope of the United States began her five-year term as the international organization’s eleventh director-general on October 1. She is the first woman to assume this position in the IOM’s 72-year history.
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