Current information

President Girma conveys condolences over devastating earthquake, tsunami in Japan

Thursday, 17 March 2011 16:30 | Written by EED Admin |

Addis Ababa, March 17 (WIC) – President Girma Weldegiorgis has conveyed his condolences today to the people and government of Japan for the tragic loss of life caused by the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit the country on Friday, March 11, 2011.

President Girma said at an event held at the Embassy of Japan today that “on behalf of the people and government of Ethiopia and that of my own, I would like to extend to you and, through you, to the entire people and government of Japan, my condolences on the loss of lives and destructions of property caused by massive earth quake and tsunami which scammed northern Japan and other areas on Friday March 11, 2011”

“At this time of natural tragedy, I would like to express my heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the people and government of Japan and bereaved families of the victims of this tragedy,” he added.

Meanwhile, religious leaders in Ethiopia have also expressed their condolences over the earth quake and tsunami which struck Japan last week.

His Holiness Abune Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church said that "no one was untouched by the tragic situation that occurred in Japan. “Everybody is closely following what is going on in Japan, a country of hardworking people".

Last Updated (Thursday, 17 March 2011 17:42)

Ministry working to enhance dve’t participation of Ethiopian Diaspora

Thursday, 17 March 2011 11:25 | Written by EED Admin |

Addis Ababa, March 17 (WIC) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it is undertaking various activities to enhance the participation of Ethiopian Diaspora in the ongoing democratization,development and peace endeavors of the country.

Foreign Affairs State Minister, Ambassador Berhane Gebrekirstos, told journalists here on Wednesday that activities are underway to bolster the involvement of Ethiopians residing aboard in the comprehensive development efforts of the country through acquainting them with government’s five-year strategic plan.

He said the ministry has a plan to carry out discussions on the new five-year Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) with Ethiopians residing in 13 American States after a month.

The discussions to be held in the presence of senior federal and regional government officials, Ethiopian embassies, consulate generals and diplomats will help offer the necessary information about the GTP to Ethiopians living there.

Ambassador Berhane indicated that similar discussions would be carried out with Ethiopian residing in various parts of the world.

Commenting on activities of Ethiopian embassies abroad, he said that the embassies are currently working rigorously to attract more investors, expand inward technology transfer and explore for new export markets.

He said the embassies are currently endeavoring to explore for new export markets in order to attain the target set to raise nation’s export revenue to 10 billion USD from the current 2 billion USD over the coming five years.

Concerning the current situations in Somalia, Sudan, Djibouti and other North African and Middle East countries, he said that the government of Ethiopia has a similar stand with the African Union (AU) about the situations in these countries.

Last Updated (Thursday, 17 March 2011 16:30)