Ethiopia committed to get access to sea through diplomacy

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - The Federal Republic of Ethiopia insists it is committed to getting access to the Red Sea through legal and diplomatic channels, spokesperson of Foreign Affairs Ministry Ambassador Nebiyou Tedla said.

During a media briefing on Thursday, ambassador Nebiyou said Ethiopia is grateful to Turkiye for facilitating the bilateral talks held between Ethiopia and Somalia in Ankara. The third round of talks is set for September according to Hakan Fidan, Turkey's foreign affairs minister.

The spokesperson revealed that Ethiopia will actively participate in the third round of talks to be held between the two countries. He explained that efforts are underway to avoid unnecessary confrontations about access to the sea.

On the other hand, he said Ethiopia is closely monitoring the situation in Lebanon to ensure the safety and security of Ethiopians living there, he added. Access to the sea has been a major concern for Addis Ababa.

Ethiopia signed an agreement with the breakaway region of Somaliland which if implemented, would see it getting 20 kilometers of the Red Sea for construction of a naval base and port in return for recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state.

However, this approach was rejected by Somalia, which threatened to take legal and military action against Ethiopia. Already, Somalia has signed defense pacts with Egypt and Turkey meant to protect its 3,333 kilometers of coastline which is under threat.

Ethiopia is keen to stop using the Port of Djibouti, Lamu, and the Port of Sudan for imports and exports. In addition, the country is keen to build its port but Somalia insists should such action materialize, then it's territorial integrity and sovereignty would be compromised.

GAROWE ONLINE