𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗮’𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗨𝗞 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿

Addis Ababa, July 8, 2026 (FMC) — UK Deputy Ambassador to Ethiopia Luke Bullock said the United Kingdom supports Ethiopia’s National Dialogue, expressing hope that peaceful outcomes from the process will strengthen peace, stability and prosperity in the country.

Speaking to FMC recently after participating in a tree-planting activity held under Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, Bullock said the UK wishes Ethiopia success in its National Dialogue and hopes the process will produce outcomes that enhance peace and stability.

He said the UK supports peaceful outcomes from the dialogue process that contribute to Ethiopia’s broader development aspirations.

Regarding Ethiopia’s ambition to expand access to the sea, Bullock said it was understandable for a country of about 130 million people with a rapidly growing economy to seek greater commercial maritime connectivity.

He said Ethiopia’s economic expansion requires efficient trade routes to facilitate exports and imports, adding that increased commercial access to maritime routes would support the country’s continued economic growth.

Bullock noted that Ethiopia currently relies heavily on the Port of Djibouti but has opportunities to expand its commercial access through agreements with other ports in the region, including Berbera Port.

He said the UK supports peaceful arrangements based on dialogue and mutual respect that enable Ethiopia to increase its commercial access to the sea while promoting regional cooperation and stability.

The UK Deputy Ambassador made the remarks after joining members of the diplomatic community in planting trees as part of Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, a nationwide campaign focused on environmental restoration, climate resilience and sustainable development.