News Feature

Newsletter 18

EU, Partner in Ethiopian Development Endeavour

The government of Ethiopia has always been committed to peace, development and prosperity of its people who are now making great strides in the right direction. 

Relentless effort is being made by the government to wipeout the negative images that the country suffered and enable it emerge as economically strong and socially stable country.  The effort is bearing fruit as the country actually is regarded as the role model of rapid development in sub-Saharan Africa registering a high rate of consecutive economic growth over the past three years. 

Likewise, in regional and continental fora, Ethiopia plays an active role to ensure   sustainable   peace  and  growth through cooperation tuned to common benefit and development in various sectors. 

The same holds true to its relations with the rest of the world that can best be described by the amicable and cooperation-based relationship with international organizations like the UN and the EU. 

Recently, the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso visited Ethiopia with a view to support government's on going efforts to develop the road sector in the country. 

During his visit from 1-3 October 2006, Commissioner Barroso explained the Commission's program to assist Ethiopia in the road and other sectors.  The Commission earmarked 155 million Euro aimed at assisting the Ethiopian road sector development programme. 

Commissioner Barroso confirmed Prime Minister Meles Zenawi EU's willingness to further assist Ethiopia in the latter's endeavors to bring about sustainable development. 

Prime Minister Meles on his part said that the existing cooperation between his country and the EU was gaining momentum while expressing hope that it would further be stepped up. Barroso described the cooperation as exemplary. 

Referring to the talks he had with Meles on issues of democracy, Barroso told journalists that he backs government's efforts to develop the culture of democracy. 

"I strongly support Prime Minister Meles' efforts to bring democracy to Ethiopia", he said. A high level delegation from the EU Commission has also visited Ethiopia to discuss ways to further strengthen the bilateral relations with the African Union, the permanent seat of which is Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. 

The delegation during its stay visited flower farms in Western Shoa, and confirmed that the Commission shall continue to support the sector so that it would better compete in the European market. 

Some 45% of Ethiopian exports destined to the EU and 38% of Ethiopian imports originate from the EU, Ethiopia's main trading partner. 

In the area of development assistance the country has been the foremost beneficiary of European Commission development assistance amongst ACP states.  According to Barroso, Ethiopia takes the lion's share of the European Development Fund's development aid in Africa. 

European Commission's assistance to Ethiopia has focused on roads, water, human resources development,        food security, democratization and institution building, among others. 

Laying the development cooperation on firm ground, the Ethiopian government strives to make the best out of the EU assistance. 

Various road construction projects are underway while activities in other development sectors are being accelerated. 

One recalls the report in June 2003 of the European Union that commended the government of Ethiopia for its commitment to mass development reinforced by a broad reform agenda    of transparency, accountability and economic liberalization. 

The Ethiopian government has long embarked on a constructive dialogue with its development partners thus making its bilateral as well as multilateral relations more successful and fruitful in improving the livelihood of its people.