President Taye: Ethiopia must ensure reliable direct access to seaports

Addis Ababa, October 6, 2025 (FMC) — President Taye Atske-Selassie said Ethiopia must ensure its right to reliable direct access to seaports while continuing diplomatic and peaceful efforts in line with international law, as he highlighted the government’s foreign-policy achievements during the past fiscal year.

Presenting the federal government’s performance for 2024/25 and priorities for the new fiscal year before a joint session of Parliament on Monday, the President emphasized that Ethiopia’s foreign relations are guided by national interest, citizens’ dignity, and mutual benefit.

He said Ethiopia’s geostrategic position has been strengthened, helping the country transition from being an observer to an agenda setter and influencer in the region and beyond.

President Taye underscored that while Ethiopia has accepted its responsibility to share its transboundary resources equitably, the country must ensure its rights to reliable access to the sea. He stressed that Ethiopia’s future is strongly linked to two critical resources — reliable access to the sea and the Abbay River.

The government has been making uninterrupted diplomatic and peaceful efforts regarding two of the nation’s most significant resources — the Abbay River and direct access to seaports.

He noted three major achievements in this regard: the completion and inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the growing international recognition of Ethiopia’s push for reliable sea access, and the repatriation of citizens who were in difficult situations abroad.

The President added that Ethiopians residing abroad have been given opportunities to engage in the country’s development activities, and similar efforts will continue to be strengthened in the coming years.