Addis Ababa, July 25, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopian officials have reaffirmed that the country’s peaceful pursuit of access to the sea is rooted in the principles of mutual benefit, shared development, and regional integration.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, during the presentation of the 2018 Ethiopian Fiscal Year budget, emphasized to Parliament that Ethiopia seeks to deepen cooperation with neighboring countries through peace and development partnerships. He also urged regional nations to positively engage with Ethiopia’s long-standing aspiration for a sea outlet.
Ambassador Dina Mufti, a member of the House of Peoples’ Representatives Standing Committee on Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs, told local news agency ENA that sea access is directly tied to Ethiopia’s national interest.
“As a country with a large and growing population and a fast-expanding economy, gaining access to the sea is not just strategic—it’s essential,” Ambassador Dina stated. He explained that Ethiopia’s import and export volumes have risen significantly alongside economic growth, making the pursuit of a sea outlet a matter of national urgency.
He added that Ethiopia is pursuing this goal through peaceful and reciprocal means, anchored in the principle of shared growth. “The international community is increasingly recognizing the legitimacy of Ethiopia’s call for sea access,” the ambassador noted, stressing that the agenda remains central to the country’s long-term national interests.
Jafar Bedru, Executive Director of the Institute of Foreign Affairs, echoed this view, calling sea access an “existential issue” for Ethiopia. He emphasized that the country’s position is not about threatening others, but about creating a framework of mutual benefit and collective development.
“The Institute is prioritizing sea access as a core research and policy agenda, aiming to develop strategies that align with Ethiopia’s broader foreign policy goals,” Jafar said. He also highlighted that Ethiopia has been actively engaging in regional and international forums to promote its vision for greater regional integration — an initiative that will be further expanded in the coming months.