KAZAN, 23 October (BelTA) - Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on the margins of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia on 23 October, BelTA has learned.
One of the topics of the discussion was the lack of access to the sea in both countries.
Abiy Ahmed Ali noted with great regret that Ethiopia is a landlocked country. He believes that Belarus, due to its geographical location, is able to understand the challenges his country faces. “You know our pain, you feel it. It is the pain of a landlocked country,” he said. The prime minister explained that Ethiopia has large reserves of fresh water and cooperates with neighboring countries, providing them with fresh water free of charge. “But while consuming our fresh water, unfortunately, our neighbors are not eager to share access to seas and oceans with us,” he stated. "Our country is the second most populous in Africa. Can you imagine how hard it is for us to survive when such a country with millions of people remains without access to the sea?” This issue is even more relevant given Ethiopia's strong economic growth: the GDP went up by 8.1% in 2023, with the target set for 8.4% this year.
“Access to seas and oceans, to finances should be equal, fairly shared. We should not fight or quarrel over resources,” Abiy Ahmed Ali said.
“That is why the position of Belarus, which understands and shares our pain, is so important for us. We have the resources. We would like to share them, but on an equal and mutually beneficial basis,” he added.
Aleksandr Lukashenko confirmed that this issue is also well-known and pressing for Belarus. The president expressed confidence that it is a matter of time for Ethiopia to solve the problem. “Those of your neighbors who do not understand this are fools. They should realize that sooner or later, through war or negotiations, Ethiopia will still reach the sea. It is better, certainly, by peaceful means,” the head of state said.
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