Maksim Ryzhenkov and Gedion Timotheos. Photo of Belarus' Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MINSK, 13 April (BelTA) - Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maksim Ryzhenkov held negotiations with Ethiopia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedion Timotheos on 13 April during his official visit to Ethiopia, the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told BelTA.
Participating in the meeting were also representatives of the leadership of Belarus' Industry Ministry and Belarus' Agriculture and Food Ministry. "Following the negotiations, the parties agreed to intensify work on the cooperation roadmap, which is planned to be signed by the leaders of both countries," the press service noted.
Gedion Timotheos supported Belarus' position that the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation should become the main instrument to promote bilateral trade. Currently, the issues of establishing this commission are being actively discussed.
"Special attention was paid to cooperation in the agricultural sector. It was noted that the modernization of Ethiopia’s agriculture using Belarusian technologies and equipment, including the establishment of assembly production and the training of personnel at Belarusian educational institutions, will open new prospects for mutually beneficial partnerships," Belarus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
It is planned to discuss joint agricultural projects in detail during a series of working meetings between the relevant ministries of the two countries.
Maksim Ryzhenkov also invited Ethiopian business communities to participate more actively in Belarusian trade exhibitions, including Belagro 2025.
As for humanitarian cooperation, the parties agreed to hold the Days of Belarusian Culture, Education and Sports in Ethiopia to strengthen bilateral ties. Belarus and Ethiopia confirmed the mutual interest in deepening multifaceted cooperation.
The meeting with business representatives touched upon specific projects to set up assembly production in Ethiopia using Belarusian technologies and expertise.
Maksim Ryzhenkov also visited the Adwa Victory Memorial which commemorates the historic Battle of Adwa. The battle remains a key element of the country’s national pride. The date of the victory in this battle, 1 March, is celebrated as a national holiday.
During discussions with the memorial's leadership, Maksim Ryzhenkov highlighted historical parallels between Belarus and Ethiopia: both countries, through their struggles against foreign aggression, turned the victory over invaders into a symbol of their national identity. For Ethiopia, this was the Battle of Adwa in 1896, when the country preserved its independence and became the only uncolonized state in Africa. Belarus’ historical milestone is Independence Day, which is celebrated on 3 July and marks Minsk's liberation from Nazis in 1944.
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