The Norwegian Foreign Minister in Ethiopia
Norwegian Foreign Minister, Mr. Jonas Gahr Store, paid an official visit to Ethiopia on Thursday and Friday last week [3rd-4th June] , responding to the visit of Foreign Minister Seyoum to Norway in April. Mr. Store’s visit was also the continuation of ongoing periodic political consultations between the two Foreign Ministers, and Minister Seyoum welcomed his Norwegian counterpart warmly. The two ministers conducted extensive discussions on wide-ranging bilateral and regional issues of common interest. Minister Seyoum expressed satisfaction over the current state of relations between the two countries and thanked the Norwegian Government for its continued economic cooperation with Ethiopia. He noted the Norwegian business community was well placed to engage in investment ventures which could have a positive and sustainable impact on development, as it had technological advantages in a number of particular areas of interest, including energy, agriculture and mining. Following the roundtable business discussion held by Minister Seyoum in Oslo, a number of Norwegian companies have shown interest in investment ventures in Ethiopia. Preparation is currently underway to organize a business seminar in Addis Ababa in November; a number of prominent Norwegian companies are expected to actively participate.
Minister Seyoum also briefed his visitor on last month’s national election. He underlined that the election had been conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner with unprecedented voter turnout. Whatever some detractors might claim, the voters had given a very clear verdict on the numerous parties which had participated. Minister Seyoum emphasized that elections were one of the most important elements in creating democratic governance and a democratic society; the election demonstrated that the process of democratic transformation in Ethiopia was taking the right trajectory. The Norwegian Minister expressed his satisfaction that the elections had been concluded in an orderly and peaceful climate. Norway, he noted, had participated indirectly in election observation through the Norwegian nationals on the EU Election Observers Mission. The Minister congratulated Minister Seyoum and the winning party for their victory.
Mr. Store emphasized that the overall trajectory of Ethiopian-Norwegian economic and political relations were heading in the right direction. His government was committed to further strengthen existing bilateral relations. He noted that the visit made to Norway by Minister Seyoum last April had begun to produce results in motivating Norwegian entrepreneurs who were already beginning to show a strong interest in investment in Ethiopia. The Minister added that the economic activities he had observed during his short visit to Addis Ababa were a clear manifestation of the economic growth Ethiopia has recently achieved.
The two Ministers conducted extensive discussions on current political and security developments in Sudan and Somalia. They exchanged views on current events in both countries and reviewed the challenges and prospects for peaceful negotiations of political dispute, and the role that might be played by the international community. They agreed that Ethiopia and Norway must contribute their fair share in the effort to bring about the peaceful resolution of conflicts in Somalia and the Sudan. During his visit, the Norwegian Minster also met and held similar discussions with Prime Minister Meles.