04/04/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 4 April, the European Union welcomed the swearing in of Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed as a step that "concludes an orderly and peaceful transition", bringing hope of reforms in the country. "Dr Abiy Ahmed pledged in his inauguration speech to work towards democracy, rule of law and respect for civil liberties, as well as to reach out to Eritrea. The EU is looking forward to working closely with him on continued political and economic reforms, as it did with his predecessor Hailemariam Desalegn", the spokesperson for the European External Action Service stated in a press release. The spokesperson added that in the EU's view, "an inclusive dialogue with all Ethiopian stakeholders (...), as well as an early lifting of the state of emergency, will further this process" (see EUROPE 11964). (AN)