EU Relations with Ethiopia

Ethiopia is a landlocked country situated in the Horn of Africa. Comprising 1,127,127 km² and a population of 76 million, it is a large highland complex of mountains and plateaus. It occupies a pivotal position in the Horn of Africa.

One of the least developed countries in the world, Ethiopia faces many development challenges: political unrest; widespread poverty; chronic food insecurity, famine and drought; and the spread of HIV/AIDS. In addition, there are problems concerning cross-border dynamics, such as illegal migration and trafficking of arms, drugs and people, and refugee flows.

Key issues in EU-Ethiopia relations

With Ethiopia being one of the larger beneficiaries of EC support, infrastructure (water, energy and roads) has been an important focus of the partnership, together with projects to increase agricultural exports and rural development programmes. Cooperation also focuses on food security as millions of Ethiopians face chronic food insecurity each year.

Ethiopia and the EC signed a new Country Strategy Paper (CSP) in December 2007 for 2008–13, with a total budget of € 644 M.

With the launch of the 10^th European Development Fund, one focal sector is transport and regional integration: better road infrastructure helps boost economic progress, reduce poverty and improve integration of many isolated communities. In addition, support to private sector growth and trade will increase the competitiveness of Ethiopia’s private sector and assist the government in its efforts to accelerate trade.

Another priority area is food security and rural development. Here support providing predictable transfers to food-insecure citizens will reduce the food gap, tackling risk and vulnerability. Given the number of people dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods, agricultural markets and livestock development will be supported, and management of natural resources will be enhanced to address degradation.

Another important component of the CSP is macroeconomic support and governance. Actions target supporting the government’s effort to maintain a conductive macro-economic environment for economic growth and reducing poverty. In addition, political dialogue between state and non-state actors seeks to create an open and democratic society.

EU response to petitions regarding the Birtukan Midekssa case in Ethiopia.

Latest update: 19-01-2010
Responsible Desk Officers