G. Y. CHEPIK, Head of the North-East Africa Department of the DAF of the Russian Foreign Ministry

Keywords: Russia, Ethiopia, diplomatic relations, trade and economic cooperation

Cooperation between our countries has more than a century of history and goes back to the era of pre-revolutionary Russia and the rule of Menelik II in Ethiopia. The date of establishment of diplomatic relations is considered to be March 14, 1898. This is almost a unique case for our relations with sub-Saharan Africa (there are only two countries with which Russia has such long - standing relations-Ethiopia and South Africa).

The beginning of the 20th century was full of complex and tragic events for both countries. In 1917, diplomatic relations were interrupted and resumed only in 1943. But despite all the historical vicissitudes, the contacts between our countries have always remained sincere, warm and friendly, based on mutual respect.

During the Soviet period, with the assistance of our country, a number of industrial facilities were built in Ethiopia, and a large amount of geological exploration was carried out. More than 20 thousand Ethiopian citizens were educated in the USSR, and 5 thousand specialists were trained at the cooperation facilities.

Today, the high level of Russian-Ethiopian political dialogue is an important factor for stability on the African continent. Last year alone, the foreign ministers of the two countries met twice - in Moscow and New York-to discuss a wide range of international and regional issues. This practice will undoubtedly continue this year.

Ethiopia, as the political "heavyweight" of Africa, always remains among Russia's priority partners on the continent. It is enough to recall the role that Addis Ababa plays in the African Union, in sub-regional structures, and in its peacekeeping activities.

We note with satisfaction the steady development of bilateral economic cooperation. Currently, large Russian companies in Ethiopia are working on or already implementing a number of major projects in the areas of infrastructure, transport, truck production, energy, mineral extraction, and agriculture. Some of these projects involve billions of dollars in investment.

The development of bilateral economic ties received a new impetus at the 5th meeting of the Intergovernmental Russian-Ethiopian Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation and Trade (IPC), held in Moscow in June this year.

Our countries are conducting fruitful joint research in the field of agriculture, in particular, crop production and breeding of new crops. A joint Russian-Ethiopian biological expedition ¹ has been operating in Ethiopia for many years. In addition, the volume of Russian projects implemented in Ethiopia within the framework of the program of assistance to African countries in the field of food security will reach $51 million in 2013-2015.

Traditionally, partnership in the field of culture, science and education remains high. Russia provides assistance to Ethiopia in the field of training both civilian and military personnel. An active cultural exchange has been established - the Russian Cultural Center has been operating in Addis Ababa for many years. The Moscow city government has decided to donate a sculptural composition to the Ethiopian capital-a figure of the great Russian poet A. S. Pushkin and his great-grandfather, a native of Ethiopia, Ibrahim Hannibal. Many residents of the capital and other cities of the country receive medical care at the Russian Red Cross Hospital located in Addis Ababa ².

Links are maintained between the Russian Orthodox and Ethiopian Orthodox Churches. It should be noted that the majority of the population of Ethiopia belonging to one of the ancient branches of Orthodox Christianity played a special role in the formation of friendly relations between our countries, initially predetermined the spiritual closeness of their peoples.

All of the above allows us to be optimistic about the future of Russian-Ethiopian relations.

¹ For more information, see: Bragin A. N. Russian Biological expedition: more than a quarter of a century in Ethiopia / / Asia and Africa Today. 2013, N 3. (Bragin A.N. Russian biological expedition in Ethiopia // Aziya i Afrika segodnya. 2013, N 3) (in Russian)

² This is the hospital named after him. Balcha, which employs, in particular, about 80 Russian doctors (editor's note).

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