Addis Ababa, January 22, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia and Germany have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with renewed focus on diplomacy, trade, investment, and regional peace and security, as the two countries seek to deepen cooperation amid evolving regional and global dynamics.
This commitment was reiterated during the discussions between Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos and his German counterpart Johann Wadephul in Addis Ababa today, where the two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation on matters of mutual interest.
In a joint press statement issued after the talks, the ministers said recent discussions between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the margins of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg have injected fresh momentum into relations between the two countries.
Germany’s FM Wadephul reaffirmed his country’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Ethiopia, underscoring the country’s strategic role as host of the African Union and its influence in the region.
He also highlighted Ethiopia’s investment potential for German companies, citing the Bishoftu International Airport project as a key opportunity, and said German private-sector engagement is expected to grow further in light of Ethiopia’s ongoing macroeconomic reforms.
The German foreign minister also commended Ethiopia’s efforts to promote peace and stability in the Horn of Africa, including its support for peacekeeping operations in Somalia.
He described Ethiopia’s request for access to the sea as appropriate and reasonable, given the country’s population of more than 130 million.
Wadephul further congratulated Ethiopia on its selection to host the UN Climate Change Conference (COP32).
For his part, Gedion called on Germany to strengthen support in technology transfer, industry, and trade to further advance political and development cooperation. He noted that Ethiopia and Germany share a longstanding diplomatic relationship spanning more than 120 years.