Home East Africa Ethiopia to get US$ 680 million from EU for development works

Ethiopia to get US$ 680 million from EU for development works

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Ethiopia and the European Union signed a cooperation agreement for US$$680 million. This was announced by  Jutta Urpilainen, the EU commissioner for international partnerships while addressing a press conference along with Ethiopian Finance Minister Ahmed Side in the capital, Addis Ababa.

Ethiopia and the European Union signed a cooperation agreement for US$$680 million. This was announced by  Jutta Urpilainen, the EU commissioner for international partnerships while addressing a press conference along with Ethiopian Finance Minister Ahmed Side in the capital, Addis Ababa.

Ethiopia’s PM Ahmed in a separate statement said that the aid would help boost Ethiopia’s post-war recovery and facilitate badly needed economic reforms at a critical juncture for the country. The EU aid package was initially worth 1 billion euros (US$1.04 billion) and was due to be given to Ethiopia from 2021 to 2027.  However, it was suspended after fighting broke out in the northern Tigray region in late 2020.  Direct budgetary support to Ethiopia’s government remains however suspended and will be restored only when the political situation in Tigray improves. She added that a program from the International Monetary Fund was also needed first.

Ethiopia is currently negotiating with the Washington-based lender seeking support for the country’s economic reforms. Urpilainen met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Moussa Faki Mahamat, the chairman of the African Union Commission.

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A report by the U.N. panel last month cited grave and ongoing atrocities in Tigray and questioned Ethiopian officials’ commitment to delivering true accountability. Last week Human Rights Watch said the EU should submit a resolution at the U.N. Human Rights Council calling for continued investigations into atrocities.