Undersecretary Silli on a mission to Addis Ababa: meetings with Ethiopian authorities, entrepreneurs and Italian communities

On November 27, the Undersecretary of State George Silli he completed a mission to Addis Ababa, where he held meetings with both the Ethiopian political authorities that with the business community , Italian communities in Ethiopia.

"Italy and Ethiopia are united by the deep bonds of friendship between our peoples and by historical and intense bilateral relations. Ethiopia is a strategic partner for us", said the Undersecretary Silli during his meeting with the Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Mesganu Arga, to which he reiterated Italy's support for Ethiopia, in the belief that the country will play a constructive role in favor of peace and stability within the country and in the Horn of Africa, where the increase in instability is a source of deep concern".

There was also talk of the opportunity to continue working together in the fight against irregular immigration and the progressive removal of European restrictive measures on visas for Ethiopian citizens.

Fighting climate change, security and energy transition were the topics at the centre of the meeting with the Minister of Energy and Water, Eng. Habtamu Itefa, with which Undersecretary Silli highlighted the opportunities offered by the Mattei plan for Africa, which places the climate-energy nexus among its pillars for the promotion of sustainable growth on the continent and of which Ethiopia is one of the priority countries, with an important initiative for the sustainable development of the city of Jimma.

Furthermore, Undersecretary Silli exchanged opinions on issues within his remit, such as human rights, international adoptions and the moratorium on the death penalty, with the Minister of Justice, Hanna Arayelassie, and with the Minister for Women and Social Affairs, Ergoge Tesfaye.

Visit of the Italian Cultural Institute and the State Comprehensive Institute of Addis Ababa "Galileo Galilei" has allowed us to ascertain the excellent state of bilateral cultural relations, fueled by a collaboration that ranges from contemporary art, to music and cinema. In seventieth anniversary of the foundation of the Italian State Institute of Addis Ababa, Undersecretary Silli highlighted the recent inauguration of a new course of study, dedicated to information technology and telecommunications, a crucial sector for better knowing and understanding the contemporary world.

Finally, the Undersecretary met the business community and the Italian community in Ethiopia at the Embassy. “I note with great satisfaction the presence of a community that is ancient in origin but has constantly renewed itself over time, which is deeply rooted in the social, economic and cultural context of Ethiopia and which, since its arrival, has contributed substantially to the development of the country, creating solid and lasting ties in all sectors”, stated the Undersecretary Silli, highlighting the role of the community as a vehicle for the promotion of Italian culture and language, as well as the innovation and creativity that distinguish our economic system.