12 February 2024
High-level officials from Ethiopia and Rwanda kicked off the Third Ethiopia-Rwanda Joint Ministerial Commission Meeting today, reaffirming their strong bilateral relations and seeking new avenues for cooperation.
Strengthening Existing Partnerships:
Fiseha Showel, Director-General of African Affairs at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the “excellent relations” between the two nations, built upon a dozen Memoranda of Understanding signed during the previous commission meeting in 2017.
He acknowledged challenges in implementing these agreements due to the COVID-19 pandemic but emphasized the commitment to “compensate the time lost.”
It is reported that both parties identified key areas for deeper collaboration including joint efforts to combat terrorism and transboundary crimes, sustainable development and utilization of shared resources, collaborative strategies to address climate impacts, and strengthened partnerships within the African Union and the UN.
Rwandan Ambassador to Ethiopia, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Charles Karamba, echoed the desire to solidify ties, stating, “This meeting will further strengthen our bilateral relations.”
The two-day meeting is expected to culminate in a renewed commitment to cooperation, building on the foundation established in 2012 through the Joint Ministerial Commission agreement
