Addis Ababa, July 19, 2026 (FMC) — The European Union has welcomed Ethiopia’s ongoing National Dialogue Conference, describing it as a potentially transformative process that could contribute to lasting peace, national reconciliation and stability.
Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, expressed confidence that the dialogue would produce tangible outcomes, praising it as an inclusive and grassroots-driven initiative that brings together Ethiopians from different backgrounds to address the country’s most complex challenges.
Kallas shared her thoughts about the ongoing national dialogue conference during her working visit to Addis Ababa a few days ago, during which she attended the historic Conference’s opening.
She said she was deeply impressed by the scale and inclusive nature of the dialogue process, which she visited during her stay in Ethiopia.
“I had the possibility to visit the National Dialogue, and it is really impressive,” she said.
The EU foreign policy chief described the process as a grassroots approach that enables people from different segments of society, including teachers from rural communities and citizens from various walks of life, to come together and deliberate on critical national issues, including peace, reconciliation and the realization of lasting security.
“I think this approach is really a good approach, and I hope that it comes to concrete results,” Kallas added.
She expressed hope that the National Dialogue would translate into meaningful and practical outcomes that would further strengthen peace, reconciliation and national unity in Ethiopia.
Kallas also emphasized Ethiopia’s strategic significance in advancing peace and stability in the Horn of Africa, describing the country as a key regional actor due to its large population and geopolitical importance.
“Ethiopia plays a key role, considering it is the second most populous country in Africa and a very important player in the Horn of Africa,” she said.
She underlined that peace and stability in Africa are also of strategic importance to Europe, noting that challenges emerging in neighboring regions can eventually affect countries beyond their immediate borders.
“Our neighbors’ problems today are our problems tomorrow,” Kallas told local news agency ENA..
The EU official reaffirmed the bloc’s continued support for regional peace initiatives, including efforts aimed at supporting a civilian-led political process in Sudan.
She also highlighted Ethiopia’s potential role in contributing to stability in neighboring countries, particularly Sudan and Somalia.
“Looking at the Horn of Africa, I think the stability that Ethiopia can bring also to Sudan, for example, or Somalia for that matter,” Kallas said, adding that Ethiopia has an opportunity to make a positive contribution to regional peace and stability.
Kallas further highlighted the wider strategic importance of the Horn of Africa in relation to global trade and maritime security, reaffirming the European Union’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at strengthening security in the Red Sea and along the Somali coast.
She described Africa as a vital partner for the European Union, saying the bloc is seeking to deepen cooperation through investment, job creation and sustainable economic development based on what she called a “partnership of equals.”
“We are offering investments to Ethiopia and Africa generally so that there would be jobs and growth,” she said, stressing that expanded economic opportunities, economic development and greater stability serve the shared interests of both Africa and Europe.