According to French President Emmanuel Macron, his nation supports Ethiopia’s maritime access through dialogue and observance of international law and neighbouring nations. Following a one-day visit to Addis Ababa, where he had bilateral discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Macron gave a speech on Saturday. President Macron stated his willingness to back Ethiopia’s justifiable request for maritime access on Saturday.

According to him, France is eager to contribute to the development of responsible negotiation strategies for gaining sea access that respect neighbouring nations and international law. According to Abiy, the two leaders have had a lengthy conversation about his nation’s efforts to gain peaceful access to the Red Sea. According to him, the French president agreed to assist Ethiopia in its peaceful and diplomatic pursuit of sea access under international law. In a post on X, Abiy stated, “The ties between our two nations continue to be strengthened and I look forward to our discussions during his stay in Ethiopia.”

Macron also brought up the execution of the Pretoria deal, which ended a bloody two-year conflict and was struck in November 2022 between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and the Ethiopian federal government. According to Macron, France is ready to support everyone affected by the conflict and wants to see the rule of law upheld throughout the transitional justice process. French President Emmanuel Macron said he fully supports Ethiopia’s efforts to restructure its debt, but he also stressed the need for a swift conclusion “in the coming weeks” on Saturday.
Macron’s backing comes after Ethiopia and the International Monetary Fund reached an agreement last month on the second assessment of a $3.4 billion loan package. Macron stopped in Djibouti Wednesday before travelling to Ethiopia. “We aim to complete the restructuring of this 3 billion-euro debt in the next few weeks, thanks to your commitment to the reform program you are leading,” Macron said during a joint news conference with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The National Palace in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was recently renovated with 25 million euros from the French Development Agency. Abiy and Macron also toured the building. Emperor Haile Selassie previously called it home. The Ethiopian government will open it to the public as a museum.
SOURCE : VoA and Reuters

According to Macron, the refurbishment effort has also involved French architects and other experts. The ongoing renovations of the Rock-Hewn Churches at Lalibela in the Amhara region are also receiving financial and technical assistance from France, Macron said. In 1978, the location was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Macron is in Ethiopia for the second time in six years.