ANKARA: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will visit Ethiopia on Saturday to hold discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Foreign Minister Taye Atske Selassie, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
The visit will focus on enhancing bilateral relations, addressing the reconciliation process with Somalia, and other regional matters.
In July, Fidan hosted both Ethiopian and Somali foreign ministers in Ankara. The meeting resulted in a joint statement following “candid, cordial, and forward-looking” discussions on their differences. During the meeting, the Somali and Ethiopian ministers explored ways to address their issues within a mutually acceptable framework and agreed to a follow-up meeting in Ankara on September 2.
Diplomatic relations between Turkiye and Ethiopia, which are key to Turkiye’s Africa Partnership Policy, date back to 1896. The Turkish Embassy in Addis Ababa was established in 1926, while Ethiopia’s Embassy in Ankara opened in 1933. Although Ethiopia’s Ankara Embassy closed in 1984 due to a regime change, it was reopened in 2006.
The relationship between Turkiye and Ethiopia has strengthened through regular exchanges and visits, with trade growing from approximately $27 million in 2000 to around $345 million in 2023.
There is an ambitious goal to increase this trade volume to $1 billion within the next five years. Turkiye is one of the top four foreign investors in Ethiopia, with increasing interest from Turkish companies.
Ethiopia, the world’s most populous landlocked country, lost its access to the sea with Eritrea’s de facto independence in 1991 and de jure independence in 1993. Access to the Red Sea remains a critical economic concern for Ethiopia.
On January 1, 2024, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland President signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The Somaliland President’s declaration that Ethiopia would be the first country to recognize Somaliland sparked significant backlash from Somalia and the international community.
On May 8, 2024, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Special Envoy Mulatu Teshome Wirtu, accompanied by Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister, met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During this meeting, Ethiopia sought Turkiye’s support in its conflict with Somalia.
As a trusted intermediary, Turkiye, under President Erdogan’s guidance, initiated mediation efforts. Foreign Minister Fidan held talks with both Ethiopian and Somali foreign ministers, hosting them in Ankara on July 1, 2024.
This marked the first joint appearance of both nations’ foreign ministers in months, resulting in a joint statement committing to resolve disputes peacefully and reconvene in Ankara on September 2.
The international community has praised Turkiye’s efforts to create a sustainable dialogue channel amid rising regional tensions.
