Ethiopia-Kenya Relation
Ethiopia and Kenya enjoy longstanding and excellent bilateral relations.
The official diplomatic relations of the two countries dates to 1954 when
Ethiopia established its Honorary Consulate office in Kenya. Ethiopia appointed
its first Ambassador to Kenya in 1961 and Kenya opened its Embassy in Ethiopia
in 1967.
The two countries established cooperation mechanisms that are the
Ethio-Kenya Joint Ministerial Commission and the Joint Border Administrators’
and Commissioners' meeting which so far held 35 and 32 meetings,
respectively.
The two countries heads of State and Government made various exchanges of
State and Official visits, in a bid to strengthen the bilateral relations of the
two countries.
A. from Addis Ababa to Nairobi different State and Official visits were
made. These Include:-
o H.E Mrs. Sahle-Work Zewde's, President of FDRE, State Visit to Kenya on May 14, 2019
o
H.E Dr. Abiy Ahmed's,
Prime Minister of FDRE, State Visit to Kenya on April 6- 7, 2018
o
H.E Ato Hailemariam
Desalegn's, former Prime Minister of FDRE, State Visit to Kenya on Nov 21,
2012
o
H.E Ato Meles
Zenawi's, late former Prime Minister of FDRE, State Visit to Kenya on March
2-3, 2012, and an Official Visit on March 9, 2000, respectively.
B. from Nairobi to Addis Ababa different State and Official visit was
made. These Include:-
o
H.E Mr. Uhuru
Kenyatta President of Republic of Kenya paid an Official Visit to
Ethiopia in October 10-11,2019, March 2-3, 2019 and March 2014
o
H.E. Mwai Kibaki
visited Ethiopia in March 2005
o
H.E. Daniel Arap
Moi paid an Official Visit to Ethiopia in November 1991 immediately after EPRDF
took State power in Ethiopia.
In July 1997, relations between the two countries gained new
momentum following the 31st Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC)
meeting when numerous MoU’s on social, political and economic fields were
signed.
During the 34th JMC meeting, which was held in Nairobi
in November 2012 both parties agreed to elevate the JMC to a Summit level; and
signed the Special Status Agreement (SSA) with the aim of elevating the
economic relations between the two countries to a higher level.
And also 35th JMC meeting which was held in Nairobi in
June 2016 stressed the implementation of SSA and commanded further ways to
strengthen the relations in different sectors: Education, Health, Agriculture,
Security, Transport, Trade, etc. The SSA gave special priority to Trade
and Investment promotion, Infrastructure Development, and Food security and
sustainable livelihoods.
The positive role played by two countries in line with IGAD’s vision
to bring sustainable peace and regional integration in a region is vital for both
countries. The two countries enjoy holding common positions at regional,
continental and global forums on issues of mutual concern.
