Minister Attaf: Ethiopia has always been and continues to be one of our privileged strategic partners in Africa
Algerian Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, said on Sunday that Ethiopia has always been and continues to be one of Algeria’s “privileged strategic partners” in the continent, particularly in East Africa.
At the opening of the fifth session of the Joint Ministerial Committee for Cooperation between Algeria and Ethiopia — co-chaired by Minister Attaf and Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos — the Algerian minister emphasized that this session is the outcome of recent meetings between the leaders of both countries, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
“They both expressed a deep commitment to the strategic partnership uniting our two countries, while providing us with clear instructions to explore all possible ways and means with the aim of charting new perspectives for this partnership, particularly in the economic areas,” Minister Attaf said.
The Algerian minister described Sunday’s session as “very positive, productive, and fruitful,” with concrete and action-oriented results, including:
The signing of eleven new legal instruments, which will enrich the legal framework of bilateral relations, while opening new avenues for cooperation and partnership between the two countries.
Additionally, the identification of clear priorities, on which bilateral cooperation should focus from now onwards. These include the fields of pharmaceutical industry, food industry, agriculture, energy (both traditional and renewal), mining, air transport, start-ups, higher education, and vocational training.
Moreover, the reaffirmation of both countries’ political convergences over all issues of mutual concern and shared interest, at the regional, continental, and international levels. “Whether it is about the situations prevailing in our respective regions, at the continental level, or at the global stage, our two countries continue to stand firm on the principles that have shaped their identity both internally and externally. Principles of peace, justice, and freedom.”
Minister Ahmed Attaf highlighted the “tremendous turbulences” currently shaking the world, noting that Africa will inevitably feel their impact and be called upon to take part in confronting these challenges. In this context, he urged unity, stressing the need “to jointly prepare for this time that is fast approaching.”
In closing his address, the Algerian minister expressed his firm belief that Algeria and Ethiopia have successfully laid the foundation for a prosperous economic partnership—one that will draw the two countries and their peoples even closer together.
