Welcome
I am pleased to welcome you to the website of the Delegation of the European Union to Ethiopia. I hope that you will find it interesting, useful, and comprehensive. Our goal is to inform you on all aspects of the long standing and strategic relationship between the European Union and the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, which dates back to 1975.
The EU relationship with Ethiopia is currently governed by the Cotonou Agreement, which was signed between the EU and ACP countries including Ethiopia in 2000, in Benin and was amended for the second time on 21-22 June 2010 in Ouagadougou. The Cotonou Agreement is a Partnership between signatories covering Political, Economic and Trade relations, as well as Development Cooperation. It is centred around a common objective of reducing poverty, consistent with the goal of achieving sustainable development and the gradual integration of the ACP countries into the world economy.
In the context of the EU Lisbon Treaty, which came into force in December 2009, the Delegation of the European Union has now assumed the role of representing, coordinating and negotiating on behalf of the European Union. The Head of Delegation reports to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who is also a Vice President of the European Commission, Baroness Catherine Ashton. This new setup, decided by Europeans, is aimed at increasing coherence of action of the European Union in all aspects of its external dimension. It will be a challenge and great opportunity for this Delegation to assume this new role in close cooperation with the EU Member States represented in Ethiopia.
I arrived in Ethiopia in August 2010. I am looking forward to a constructive and transparent relationship with our host, the Government of Ethiopia, as well as with all actors of the Ethiopian society, diplomatic missions and all international organizations. All my colleagues and I in the Delegation are strongly committed to deepen ties between the EU and Ethiopia in all aspects of common interest.
I would like to encourage you to send us comments, suggestions or requests you may have concerning the European Union and its relationship with Ethiopia.
Xavier Marchal
Head of Delegation