Русский
Vladimir Putin has met with Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, following the 2024 BRICS Summit in Kazan.
This is what they had to say:
Putin:
“Mr Prime Minister, I am delighted to see you again. Ethiopia’s accession to BRICS is a momentous decision and yet further proof of your country’s prestige on the international stage. We will continue to assist Ethiopia’s seamless integration into the operations of our group.
Last year, we marked the 125th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, which are based on a rich history and longstanding traditions of friendship, mutual respect, and cultural and spiritual affinity between our nations.
Over the past year, we have stepped up our political dialogue and developed regular contacts between our ministries and agencies. Our countries often hold very similar views on the majority of global and regional issues. We appreciate Ethiopia’s support for the majority of Russian initiatives at the UN.
Russia is giving special attention to the development of ties with African countries. We are implementing the agreements reached at the second Russia–Africa Summit in St Petersburg, and we look forward to seeing the new Foreign Minister of Ethiopia at the first ministerial conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum in Sochi this November.
Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko is ready to visit Addis Ababa in the next few months.
Our bilateral trade is growing. It may be modest in absolute terms, but there is positive dynamics with a 65% in 2023. If we continue in the same vein, we will achieve substantial results, considering that the current figures are far from the optimal mark.
We would like to strengthen interaction in healthcare and research. Rospotrebnadzor is ready to donate a mobile laboratory to Ethiopia, just as we do in relations with our partners when we provide equipment and train their personnel. We are also providing assistance to our African partners through international organisations.
We pay special attention to cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Since the 1960s, over 20,000 Ethiopians have received a higher education in Russia. About 200 Ethiopians are currently studying in Russia. The ‘Days of Russia’s Spiritual Culture’ event was held in Addis Ababa in September.
Our meeting today offers an opportunity to hold an in-depth discussion on these and other current issues of our cooperation.”
Ahmed:
“Congratulations on such a well-planned and extremely perfectly delivered summit. We are extremely happy in every second that we have spent in this beautiful city. Our meeting was very efficient, and I would like to congratulate you on such high-level delivery.
Allow me to congratulate you on maintaining economic resilience during a difficult period. This period was not easy for Russia, but under your leadership you have succeeded to maintain the economic resilience which might be exemplary for most of us.
It is a good time for most of us to come and to witness how Russia is doing on many fronts, including the economy. In our exchanges, there are areas that we can clearly see that if we work hard and continuously engage, we can increase our economic ties, diplomatic ties, and also security ties.”
Analysis & Implications
Ethiopia is a landlocked country and is currently involved in a civil war involving the creation of Eritrea, which has cut off Ethiopia’s access to the Red Sea and created trade difficulties. Eritrea is supported by the United States. This conflict is why Ahmed referenced security ties as important.
Agriculture constitutes around 85% of the Ethiopian workforce. However, the service sector represents the largest portion of the GDP. Many other economic activities depend on agriculture, including marketing, processing, and export of agricultural products. Production is overwhelmingly by small-scale farmers and enterprises, and a large part of commodity exports are provided by the small agricultural cash-crop sector. Principal crops include coffee, legumes, oilseeds, cereals, potatoes, sugarcane, and vegetables. Ethiopia is also a Vavilov centre of diversity for domesticated crops, including enset, coffee, okra, and teff. Exports are almost entirely agricultural commodities (except gold exports), and coffee is the largest foreign exchange earner. Ethiopia is Africa’s second biggest maize producer.
Ethiopia has 14 major rivers flowing from its highlands, including the Nile, and has the largest water reserves in Africa. Hydroelectric plants represent around 88.2% of the total installed electricity generating capacity in the country however some of these technologies are becoming outdated. It was therefore significant that Alexei Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom was present at this meeting. Ethiopia may be looking to develop NPP with Russia’s assistance.
Bilateral trade was US$87.12 million in 2023, up from US$52.8 million in 2022. If that 65% growth rate Putin mentioned was maintained during 2024, that should result in a bilateral trade figure well in excess of US$100 million per annum. Ethiopia exports mainly coffee and dried vegetable products to Russia, while Russia exports mainly wheat, and grains.
Ethiopia is a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), which also includes Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia, Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Tunisia, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, Eswatini, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is a member of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.
Further Reading
