The cooperation agreements signed recently between the governments of Ethiopia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) demonstrate that the relationship of the two countries is evolving into a strategic partnership, senior diplomats remarked.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed conducted an official working visit to Ethiopia from 18th to 19th August 2023.
During the visit 17 agreements were signed between the countries to foster mutual development and prosperity by strengthening their cooperation in various sectors, including industry, agriculture, investment and finance.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have also expressed commitment to build stronger bridges that benefit both people during their bilateral meeting with their respective delegations.
Professor Brook Hailu, Senior Advisor at the African Leadership Excellence Academy, told ENA that Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates are among the strategically important countries along the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.
Brook also elaborated Ethiopia is registering a leading economic growth in the East African region and has geo-political influence in the African continent as well.
Similarly, the professor stated the United Arab Emirates has become an influential country in the world by turning the barren land filled with sand into development in 40 years.
The political, economic and social relations of Ethiopia and UAE are based on the longstanding historic brotherhood and cooperation of the two countries, he pointed out.
Therefore, he explained that the cooperation agreements signed during the visit of President of UAE demonstrate that the diplomatic relationship of the two countries is evolving into a strategic partnership.
The UAE’s relationship with Ethiopia is sometimes natural since the two countries have geographical proximity and also share similar religions and people with same ethnicity, Professor Brook said.
“Ethiopia is an old country with followers of Islamic religion. It also a country acknowledged for giving shelter to Muslim refugees by the then Christian king. In terms of international trade, Ethiopia used to conduct trade by crossing the Red Sea during its great era when Yemen was partly under its control.”
Former Ethiopian Senior Diplomat, Ambassador Tiruneh Zena for his part said UAE is a true friend who stood by Ethiopia when it was in trouble recalling the support extended by the UAE to help the economy that was debilitated when the new government led by Prime Minister Abiy come to office.
There is a saying that goes ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed’, ambassador Tiruneh stated.
Noting that the existing world is a bipolar, ambassador Tiruneh said UAE has now been joining the global powers by building a strong economy.
In this regard, he stressed the need for Ethiopia to further strengthen its existing trade and investment relations with UAE and other countries as well.
“UAE and Ethiopia have now been establishing strong trade relations. Traveling to Dubai has now becoming like going to Market places in Ethiopia. We are selling so many things to Dubai. We are also importing so many things from Dubai too. We have been strongly interwoven with Dubai in terms of economy. Hence, creating a multifaceted relation with such country is very crucial.”
Professor Brook for his part added that a strong multifaceted diplomatic cooperation is very importance to expedite trade and investment between the two countries in addition creating jobs to Ethiopian youth in the UAE.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency