Ethiopian, S. Korean FMs Discuss Ties, Ceasefire in Tigray

ADDIS ABABA – Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Demeke Mekonnen, held phone conversation with his South Korean counterpart, Chung Eui-Yong, on Thursday and discussed on strengthening the bilateral ties between the two nations.

Yong and Demke, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia, also spoke about the latest security development in Tigray region and Ethiopian government’s recent ceasefire decision.

In a statement today, the Ministry of foreign Affairs said Demeke initially appreciated the long-standing relationship between Seoul and Addis Ababa.

He also stressed on the need to strengthen bilateral ties further, the ministry said.

During the meeting, Demeke also briefed Yong about the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire that the Government of Ethiopia has declared recently, according to the ministry of foreign affairs.

Although the ceasefire took many by surprise, he said the government of Ethiopia has been deliberating on it for a while.

The decision was made considering the inherent needs of Ethiopians for peace as expressed during the 6th General election, he said.

The ceasefire would mainly be important for farmers to use the planting season undisturbed by conflict, the FM said, expressing his hope that aid agencies, operating in the region, would exploit the opportunity to scale-up their support to the people.

The South Korean Foreign Minister, on his part, appreciated Ethiopia’s declaration on the humanitarian ceasefire, Ethiopian foreign ministry said.

The minister also congratulated the government and people of Ethiopia for successfully conducting the 6th General election, it added.

He also noted the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries and stressed the need to further cooperate in the international arena too.

Foreign minister Yong finally invited Ethiopia to participate in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO) Ministerial conference that his country will host in December 2021.

Ethiopia has accepted the invitation, the ministry of foreign affairs said.