EU Council Approves Conclusions on Ethiopia

The EU Council approved today conclusions highlighting Ethiopia as a key strategic partner in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea regions, ready to support lasting peace.

The EU fully endorses the permanent cessation of hostilities agreement between Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), aiming for normalized relations and strengthened strategic engagement. It highlights the particular importance of accountability and transitional justice in this context.

The Council also expresses concerns about escalating tensions and human rights abuses in Ethiopia, urging urgent de-escalation and dialogue.

The Council approved conclusions emphasizing key points:

1. Ethiopia is a strategic partner for the EU in the Horn of Africa, Red Sea region, and Africa. The EU looks forward to normalizing relations and supporting Ethiopia’s progress towards lasting peace.
2. The EU supports the Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities (CoHA) signed on November 2, 2022, between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
3. The EU will progressively return to full strategic engagement with Ethiopia, provided the CoHA is implemented.
4. The EU is prepared to relaunch its multi-annual indicative program (MIP) to support peaceful conflict resolution, stabilization, and macroeconomic stability in Ethiopia.
5. The EU welcomes the Green Paper on transitional justice and encourages the Ethiopian government to advance its options, ensuring independent, transparent, and impartial investigations into human rights violations.
6. The EU expresses solidarity with the Ethiopian people and will continue supporting humanitarian aid delivery and funding.
7. The EU supports Ethiopia’s stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and is ready to offer expertise and support for Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR).
8. The EU encourages inclusive, credible, free, and fair regional elections in Tigray.
9. The EU expresses concern about escalating tensions and violence in Oromia and Amhara, urging de-escalation and dialogue for durable peace and stability.
10. The EU reaffirms commitments made under the EU Strategy for the Horn of Africa (2021) and highlights the opportunities of the EU’s Global Gateway and Horn of Africa Initiative.
11. The EU encourages continued and coordinated support of international partners to the peace process, promising close contact with the Ethiopian government and other partners for a common approach in support of lasting peace.