Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen urges Ethiopian diplomats to promote pan-African values.
He made the call at the conclusion of the 21-day training provided to Ethiopian diplomats by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the African Leadership Excellence Academy. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, handed over certificates of recognition for the trainees in the presence of State Ministers, Ambassador Birtukan Ayano and Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma, as well as Ambassador Arega Hailu and Professor Brook Hailu.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen also tabled a presentation highlighting the new trajectory for Ethiopia’s diplomacy and what is expected of the trainees. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen explained Ethiopia’s new diplomatic trajectory and what is expected of the trainees.
He stated that meritocracy and professionalism will be the ministry’s defining characteristics, and pragmatic ways will define Ethiopia’s diplomacy in line with the objectives of the ongoing reform process.
Ethiopia, according to Mr. Demeke, needs to reorganize its diplomacy, focusing on deepening existing ties, forging new partnerships, widening its sphere of influence, and safeguarding national interests.
Mr. Demeke urged the diplomats to promote pan-African principles and Africa’s ability in solving its problems through its own initiatives, citing the successful African Union-led negotiations over the GERD and the Pretoria Peace Deal.
State Minister Ambassador Birtukan Ayano, for her part, expressed her hope that the trainees will put the training sessions’ significant inputs into practice.
Ambassador Birtukan stated that the trainees will visit some tourist attractions in Ethiopia as well as institutions and industrial sites to better grasp the transformative potential of the country’s reform process.
She finally expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen for initiating the training program, as well as Dr. Meheret Debebe, Chief of the African Leadership Excellence Academy, Mrs. Hiwot Alemayehu, Deputy Chief of the Academy, Mrs. Hanna Atnafu, Chief of Staff of the Academy, and all the trainers who have contributed to the program’s success.