Ashraf SiddiquiDohaAmbassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to Qatar HE Feisel Aliyi Abrahim has stressed the importance of support of international bodies to the African Union (AU)-led peace process for a peaceful and secure Africa.At a press conference held to mark the Ethiopian New Year 2015, the envoy said that peace in the Horn of Africa is equally important for peace in the Middle East and across the world. Fighting between Tigrayan fighters and Ethiopian government forces resumed in August. Both parties had agreed to a cease-fire in March this year.HE Feisel Aliyi Abrahim said Ethiopia established a negotiating ‘Peace Committee,’ led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, to present a peace proposal to end the conflict. The Ethiopian government has agreed with the AU to mediate peace talks through the High Representative of the AU, Olusegun Obasanjo, he said.According to the envoy, approximately six million Ethiopians in the Tigray region have been suffering from the conflict and have been waiting for their basic human needs to be met. The government has offered a process of unconditional negotiations. The envoy urged the international community to support AU and its mediation process to protect the unilateral truce and allow necessary aid to reach the needy people.In terms of peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Middle East, and the wider region, he stated that Qatar and Ethiopia share common values.According to the envoy, both countries have a good relationship and cooperation in economic, political, and social fields. A number of high-level visits, including by the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed underline the importance of the relationship between the two countries.Qatar and Ethiopia have formed a Joint Ministerial Commission to review existing cooperation and develop new areas of cooperation based on mutual interest, he said.He expressed his gratitude to HH the Amir for donating a specialized kidney hospital to Addis Abeba, which is currently being bid on by the Qatar Fund for Development.He praises the media relations between the two countries, noting that the Aljazeera network has strong presence in Ethiopia and covers sociopolitical and economic developments in Ethiopia and the region for the Arab speaking world. Furthermore, Qatar Media Corporation and Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation are collaborating on a training and capacity-building programme.Ambassador Abrahim stated that as the new ambassador to Qatar, strengthening these relations will be one of his top priorities.He said there is great potential between both the countries may cooperate and support for the mutual benefit. Ethiopia imports from Qatar’s industrial products and technology, mainly from petrochemical industries, on the other hand exports products like coffee, livestock, meat, tea, cereals and spices to the Qatar market. According to the envoy, Ethiopia has a large investment potential due to its large population, competitive labour, low energy costs and proximity to European and Middle Eastern markets.He stated that, under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s leadership, the government has paid special attention to the tourism sector, particularly infrastructure development and hospitality improvement, in order to make Ethiopia a more appealing destination for our gulf tourists.
