Luxembourg’s foreign minister, Jean Asselborn, was in Addis Ababa this week for discussions with his Ethiopian counterpart, Workneh Gebeyehu, affirming Luxembourg’s desire to intensify is political and economic relations with the African continent beyond its traditional development partnerships, particularly in Ethiopia. 

The East African country, with a population of over 100 million, is a major player on the international and African diplomatic scene, as well as hosting numerous international and regional organisations, including the African Union.

The two ministers discussed a number of bilateral issues such as cooperation in the field of micro-finance, the situation in the Horn of Africa, including the conflicts in South Sudan and Somalia, food insecurity and migration challenges.

With regard to the internal situation in Ethiopia, Minister Asselborn encouraged the Ethiopian government to implement the reforms announced by the President last autumn, including a reform of the electoral law that is the subject of a dialogue with the opposition.

At the headquarters of the African Union, Minister Asselborn took the opportunity to increase contacts with senior African officials, including the new Vice President of the Commission of the African Union, Thomas Kwesi Quartey, as well as the Commissioner for Peace and Security, Smaïl Chergui and the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Minata Tsamate Cessouma.

Minister Asselborn reminded his interlocutors of the importance that Luxembourg attaches to the African Union (AU), noting the progress made since 2010 in strengthening the Luxembourg presence with the AU, opening up a Permanent Representation to the AU in Addis Ababa. 

The talks provided an opportunity to take stock of the situation on the continent and to identify ways to support the organisation in the areas of peace and security, economic integration and institutional reform. In particular, Minister Asselborn stressed the importance of close cooperation between the EU and African partners in view of the upcoming Africa-EU Summit in Abidjan in November.

Image: Minister Asselborn with Ethiopia's foreign minister, Workneh Gebeyehu in Addis Ababa