Africa among Kiev's foreign policy priorities - FM
MOSCOW. May 25 (Interfax) - Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba has met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during his visit to Addis Ababa, and the parties have agreed to establish an intergovernmental economic commission.
This is the first visit of the Ukrainian foreign minister to Ethiopia since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Ukrainian media reported, citing the press service for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
"Systemic cooperation in the economic area, in particular, the establishment of the intergovernmental commission will help increase the trade and invigorate business contacts, enable the implementation of mutually beneficial projects in the areas of high technology, digitalization of public services, pharmaceuticals, and so on," Kuleba said.
He also met with Chairperson of the African Union and President of the Union of the Comoros Azali Assoumani and Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union Moussa Faki Mahamat in Addis Ababa.
"We are seeking to make our dialogue more systematic and regular, so that Ukraine and African countries better understand each other," Kuleba said.
The parties agreed to put on a systematic basis contacts and consultations at all levels between the Ukrainian government and the Commission of the African Union.
Food security in Africa became a separate topic of the meeting, the press service for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said. Kuleba noted that thanks to the operation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative 123 ships carrying 3.3 million tonnes of agricultural products have been exported to African countries as of early May.
The Ukrainian minister said that under the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program the Ukrainian government sent six ships carrying 170,000 tonnes of wheat to Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Yemen between December 2022 and March 2023. Ethiopia received 90,000 tonnes, Kenya 25,000 tonnes, Somalia 25,000 tonnes, Yemen 30,000 tonnes.
Ships with agricultural products are planned to be sent to other countries in the near future, as well, he said.