On the margins of the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, congratulated Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde on the economic and political reforms undertaken, the European External Action Service said on Sunday 10 February, on the second day of Ms Mogherini's visit to the Horn of Africa (see EUROPE 12190).
These reforms are supported by the EU with €360 million for 2019-2020. They were at the heart of her meetings with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, whom she was meeting for the second time (see EUROPE 12179), as well as with Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu.
The High Representative welcomed the Prime Minister's commitment to further open up the Ethiopian economy to the private sector, which will promote investment within the framework of the Africa-Europe Alliance for Sustainable Jobs and Investment. "An EU-Ethiopia Business Forum will be held in Brussels in the coming months", the EEAS announces in a statement.
Ms Mogherini also reiterated the EU's support for regional economic integration, fostered by the rapprochement between Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)