1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with his Ethiopian counterpart Tedros Adhanom on July 14 on the sidelines of the third International Conference on Financing for Development (July 13-16, Addis Ababa). They had an extensive exchange of views on a range of issues, including the progress in the ROK-Ethiopia relations, ways to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries, the fourth ROK-Africa forum, and cooperation on the global stage.

2. [Reviewing the progress in the ROK-Ethiopia relations] Minister Yun said that he was pleased to meet Minister Tedros again in Addis Ababa after their last meeting in 2013 in Seoul. Minister Yun also congratulated his Ethiopian counterpart for successfully holding the large-scale International Conference on Financing for Development attended by about 7,000 people.

o Minister Tedros welcomed Minister Yun’s visit to Ethiopia, and expressed appreciation for the ROK’s support for the Conference.

o Minister Yun stated that there have been a lot of changes in the bilateral relations since the ROK-Ethiopia Foreign Ministers’ meeting in 2013 and Ethiopian Airlines’ launch of direct flights to Incheon. He also noted with appreciation that high-level exchanges between the two countries have been increasing recently, and stressed that Ethiopia is the ROK’s key partner not only at the bilateral level but also at the global level.

3. [Enhancing economic cooperation] Minister Tedros stated that the two countries have a very special, historic relationship and have also closely cooperated economically. Minister Tedros also hoped to see more investment from Korean companies, pointing to relatively low level of investment in the industrial sector.

o In response, highlighting the importance of establishing legal and institutional frameworks to further increase economic cooperation between the two countries, including investment, Minister Yun expressed hope that an investment promotion and protection agreement and an agreement on avoidance of double taxation, being discussed by the two countries, will be concluded as soon as possible. He added that mutual visits by high-level officials will provide a good opportunity.

o Minister Tedros agreed on the need to promptly conclude the bilateral agreements on economic cooperation, and offered to work together to sign them on the sidelines of the fourth ROK-Africa forum.

4. [Fourth ROK-Africa forum] Minister Yun said that the ROK-Africa forum has taken place three times in Seoul since 2006 to improve the ROK-Africa relations. Mentioning that the ROK and the African Union (AU) are having consultations to hold the fourth forum in Addis Ababa later this year, Minister Yun requested support and cooperation from the Ethiopian government, especially Minister Tedros, to successfully hold the forum.

o Minister Tedros said that he will also provide active support to hold the forum in Addis Ababa later this year, adding that the forum will serve as a very good opportunity to enhance not only the ROK-Africa relations but also the ROK-Ethiopia relations.

o Minister Yun stated that it was very touching to see many children attending the book donation ceremony held at a primary school the day before, and he became confident about the importance of cooperation in education, including through ODA. He hoped that the issue of cooperation in education will also be discussed at the fourth ROK-Africa forum.

o Minister Yun said that if the forum is successfully held, President Park’s visit to Ethiopia and the AU could be reviewed. Minister Tedros said that President Park is always welcome to Ethiopia, and if her visit materializes, the bilateral relations will be further strengthened.

5. Minister Tedros invited Minister Yun to make an official visit to Ethiopia in the near future in the context of bilateral relations, in addition to this latest visit for the International Conference on Financing for Development.


*unofficial translation