The source of our strength is our internal unity, Dr Workneh Gebeyehu Foreign Affairs Minister of Ethiopia

Tigrai Online, May 21, 2017

Interview With Dr Workneh Gebeyehu Foreign Affairs Minister Ethiopian Embassy UK

The Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Workneh Gebeyehu says the main source of our strength as a country is our internal unshakable unity in an interview he did with Ethiopian Embassy in London.

Today Ethiopian international diplomatic power is stronger than ever, but the Foreign Affairs Minister says the government is intensifying its efforts to strengthen Ethiopian standing in the world.

When we are united, strong, listening to each other, everyone would listen to us, our neighbors will listen to us, and the whole world will listen to us. If we have internal problems no would listen to us. The Ethiopian strategic foreign policy is based on this fundamental principle.

One of the main pillars of our foreign policy is strengthening our relationship with our neighbors. On this aspect we have been very successful on achieving our goal of taking our diplomatic relationship to highest level with all our neighbors except Eritrea.

Our political ties with our neighbors in the region are based on safeguarding our national interest. When we say safeguarding Ethiopian national interest, we are talking about mutual respect and benefit because when Ethiopian interest damaged, it also means our neighbors will also be affected.

The Ethiopian prime minister, other Ethiopian high government officials, including myself have been going to different parts of the world visiting governments to bolster Ethiopia’s existing diplomatic relationships and establish new once.

Dr Workneh Gebeyehu highlighted the need for true Ethiopian unity, “When Ethiopians are united we can achieve any goals and finish any projects, the prime example of that is the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.”

The Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister added that there were too many obstacles, stumbling blocks and concerted efforts to stop the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, but the Ethiopian people confronted all the hurdles and succeeded.

The video is provided by the Ethiopian Embassy in London.