A Week in the Horn 21.03.2025
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla undertook a three-day official visit to Ethiopia from March 12 to 14, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Commencing his visit, Minister Rodríguez Parrilla paid solemn tribute by laying a floral wreath at Ethio-Cuba Friendship Park honoring Cuban heroes and heroines who lost their lives while fighting alongside their Ethiopian sisters and brothers during the 1977/78 Ethio-Somalia War, a conflict sparked by Somalia’s territorial ambitions in eastern Ethiopia.
The minister engaged in a series of high-level meetings with senior government officials of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, focusing on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties. Among these, he held a productive discussion with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, addressing key bilateral issues and areas of mutual interest. Their dialogue emphasized collaborative strategies to advance shared goals, fostering deeper cooperation between the two nations.
Minister Parrilla was also warmly received by Tagesse Chafo, Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, in a meeting underscoring bilateral collaboration. The two leaders held substantive discussions centered on deepening people-to-people ties between their nations, emphasizing the role of cultural exchanges, educational partnerships, and civic engagement in fostering mutual understanding and long-term solidarity. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to leveraging shared values and historical connections to strengthen diplomatic and socio-economic cooperation.
In addition, the foreign minister engaged in a constructive dialogue with Mekdes Daba, Minister of Health of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, to advance bilateral collaboration in the health sector. Their discussions focused on reinforcing existing partnerships and identifying innovative opportunities for expanded cooperation, underscoring a shared commitment to deepening ties and addressing mutual priorities in the health sector.
During the official visit of the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Cuba, the governments of Cuba and Ethiopia strengthened bilateral ties by signing two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the fields of science and technology and sports development. The agreements were formalized in a signing ceremony attended by dignitaries from both nations. Representing Cuba were FM Parrilla and Meylin Suarez Alvarez, Ambassador of Cuba to Ethiopia. On the Ethiopian side, the signatories included Belete Mola, Minister of Innovation and Technology, and Shewit Shanka, Minister of Culture and Sports. These landmark agreements aim to foster collaboration in strategic sectors, marking a significant step forward in diplomatic and cooperative relations between the two countries.
The foreign minister’s visit culminated in a celebratory dinner hosted by Ambassador Mesganu Arga, state minister of foreign affairs, to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two sisterly nations. The event honored five decades of enduring partnership, highlighting the shared history, collaborative achievements, and mutual commitment to deepening bilateral ties. Attended by dignitaries and officials, the occasion served as both a reflection on past successes and a reaffirmation of the two countries’ dedication to fostering future cooperation across regional and global spheres.