Ethiopia’s grand ambition to gain access to the sea is bearing fruit through fostering stronger ties with neighbouring Somalia, Nebiat Getachew, Spokesperson of the foreign affairs ministry said on Friday.
Speaking to the media, Getachew said the government of Ethiopia sees sea access as of existential importance.
“In their recent exchange of visits, leaders of the two countries reaffirmed their respect for and commitment to each other’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity and agreed to work together to finalize arrangements that would grant Ethiopia access to and from the sea,” he said.
He said the efforts to strengthen Ethiopia’s relations with Somalia have proven effective, particularly within the framework of political diplomacy.
Getachew said the latest visit by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Somalia was a clear indication that the two East African countries reinvigorated cross-border diplomacy and began a new chapter in their bilateral ties.
He said the two countries have agreed to collaborate on strategic projects that would mutually benefit the peoples of both nations. He also confirmed that Ethiopia would participate in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), the active peacekeeping missions in the East African country.
In December, the leaders of Ethiopia and Somalia met in Turkey and agreed to initiate technical talks aimed at reaching an agreement that would respect Somalia’s territorial integrity while allowing Ethiopia access to the sea.
MG/as/APA