FM Fidan meets Ethiopian leaders in Addis Ababa to strengthen bilateral ties
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Taye Atskeselassie (R) meets Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (L) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on August 3, 2024. (AA Photo)
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Saturday, where he met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and Ethiopian Foreign Minister Taye Atske Selassie.
The meetings focused on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing regional issues, including Ethiopia’s reconciliation efforts with neighboring Somalia.
Historical partnership
Diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Ethiopia date back to 1896, underscoring their historical significance.
The Turkish Embassy in Addis Ababa was established in 1926, and Ethiopia’s Embassy in Ankara opened in 1933.
Despite temporarily closing in 1984 because of political changes in Ethiopia, the embassy in Ankara was reopened in 2006, marking a revival in diplomatic engagement.
Economic collaboration
As bilateral ties have deepened, trade between the two nations has grown significantly, from $27 million in 2000 to $345 million in 2023. Türkiye ranks among the top four countries for direct foreign investment in Ethiopia, and there is a shared goal to increase the trade volume to $1 billion within the next five years.
In May, the Türkiye-Ethiopia Business Forum in Istanbul saw participation from 70 Ethiopian firms and 250 Turkish companies, reflecting the growing business interest between the two nations.
