On 15 January, EEAS Deputy Secretary-General Olaf Skoog visited Ethiopia for high-level meetings with H.E. Taye Atske Selassie; President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and H.E. Gedion Timothewos (PhD); Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, EU Member State Ambassadors to Ethiopia as well as key stakeholders. Discussions focused on reinforcing EU–Ethiopia bilateral relations and exploring avenues to further enhance cooperation. Key regional and international issues were addressed, including: the situation in Tigray; Ethiopia–Eritrea relations and de-escalation efforts; developments in Somalia, notably the recognition of Somaliland by Israel and AUSSOM; preparations for the 2026 general elections on 1 June; Nile waters and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD); migration; security in the Red Sea and implications for trade routes; and the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The meetings took place in a constructive and cordial atmosphere, fostering open and frank exchanges.
