An official note from the Prime Minister’s Office stated that the trip was successful because it contributed to the strengthening of relations with those states.

During his stay in Rome, the Prime Minister held meetings with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with whom he discussed issues of bilateral interest and global issues.

Aby and Meloni signed the Ethiopian-Italian Cooperation Framework Agreement 2023-2025, which contains a financing commitment of 180 million euros.

The financial agreement of soft loans and subsidies will be applied to key economic activities, the creation of jobs in agriculture and industries and the provision of basic services in health and education.

In Valletta, capital of Malta, Abiy Ahmed met with Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela and other officials, with whom he exchanged ideas on how to improve bilateral ties. They also analyzed the best ways to promote cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, maritime transport, logistics and security.

Before returning to Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed was received in Paris by French President Emmanuel Macron, with whom he agreed to work in strengthening alliances between the two countries and, particularly, increasing French investment in Ethiopian economy.

jrr/llp/oda/raj