Ethiopia’s neutrality and diplomatic stance of working for mutual benefits and solutions has prevailed for a very long time, Institute of Foreign Affairs Senior Researcher Anteneh Getachew remarked today.

Although Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs was established in the early 1900s, historical records show that its diplomatic history exceeds those periods.

Even if the foreign policy of Ethiopia might have changes in focus due to the different governments in those periods, the country has been essentially pursuing impartial and mutually beneficial development policy.

Speaking to ENA, the senior researcher explained that Ethiopia’s diplomacy transcended ages promoting fairness and neutrality in the global diplomacy.

During the reign of the Zagwe Dynasty, for instance, even if the emperor of those days was asked to take sides in the Crusade fought between the European Christians and Arabs in the Middle East, he took a neutral stand, Anteneh said.

“Ethiopia has always been standing for its national int
erest,” he pointed out, adding that the nation’s neutral and diplomatic stance of working for mutual benefits and solutions has prevailed for a very long time.

Its recent membership to the BRICS is also part of Ethiopia pursuit for multi-lateral diplomatic relations in order to ensure its national interest and mutually beneficial development principle.

Ethiopia’s multilateral diplomacy policy is well known and widely cited in the field, the senior researcher noted.

Anteneh recalled that Ethiopia was the founding member of the League of Nations, the predecessor of the United Nations, in 1919; and also the founder of the former OAU.

Through multilateral diplomatic relations in the organizations, the country fought against the oppression of Blacks and Africans under colonialism beyond its interests.

He recalled that among the key provisions of the League of Nations, Ethiopia adhered to the principle of collective security to protect and defend the interest of developing countries that were under heavy infl
uence of the powerful countries.

The senior researcher mentioned the contribution of Emperor Haile Selassie’s speech at the League of Nations expressing his complaint against the League of Nations that did not condemn the aggression of Fascist Italy to the formation of the United Nations.

Therefore, Ethiopia has left an indelible mark in world diplomacy even when faced in its own difficulties, he added.

Ethiopia has also continued representing Africa on international diplomatic forums on issues like climate change and other diplomatic endeavors.

The senior researcher further noted that Ethiopia has pursued the major concepts of multilateral diplomatic relation in its foreign policy over time.

Ethiopia’s diplomacy did not develop overnight but is based on the nation’s past diplomatic achievements to determine the fate of the country over time, he elaborated.

The continuous changes in agenda and the expansion of digitalization have, however, posed a challenge to its diplomatic activities, Anteneh pointed
out.

Therefore, Ethiopia’s diplomacy must be up to date and based on give and take principle, he underscored.

According to him, Ethiopia has to promote its desire to maintain peace in the region, Africa and the world as well as for common economic benefits through diplomatic options.

The senior researcher further stated that Ethiopia should continue to expand and strengthen its strategic partnership with various countries.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency