The Ethiopian delegation was headed by Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos and included ministers and heads of relevant government institutions, while the EU was headed by its ambassador in Addis Ababa, Sofie From-Emmesberger, with twenty-one ambassadors and heads of Mission.

According to the local Foreign Ministry, discussions were focused on three key areas: regional peace, stability and recovery, including anti-terrorist efforts; economy, development, finance, business and environment; as well as cooperation in the multilateral framework.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to intensify and deepen bilateral exchanges and cooperation.

This meeting builds on the first Structured Dialogue held in December 2023 and is aligned with the 2016 Joint Declaration towards an EU-Ethiopia Strategic Engagement.

It is further supported by the Samoa Agreement signed on 15 November 2023 between the African country and all EU Member States.

Bilateral cooperation is also underpinned by various financial and trade programmes, including the European Union Multiannual Indicative Programme for Ethiopia launched in October 2023, bilateral initiatives by Member States and the “Everything But Arms” trade regime of that political community.

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