Interview with the Minister of Trade and Industry of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Girma Birru

Birru was in Moscow to take part in the Russian-Ethiopian Joint Intergovernmental commission held on 12-14 of February.

The year 2008 marks the 110th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. Could you speak about the dynamics of relations between Russia and Ethiopia?

In terms of diplomatic relations the relationship between Ethiopia and Russia is among the oldest in the world. This also relates to trade relations. The first trade agreement signed between Ethiopia and the Soviet Union goes back to 1959, when nearly all the African countries were under colonial rule. The 1959 trade agreement was further reviewed and signed in 1977. The last agreement to have been signed between our two countries was in 1999 after both countries had gone through a restructuring of their economy. I see today that relations are improving, and in the years you have mentioned there has never been any conflict of interests between our two countries.

How is economic and trade cooperation between our countries developing? What are the priorities in the development of bilateral economic relations?

Primarily, in terms of economic relations, trade would stand among the top priorities with investment relations next.

How do things stand in these spheres? Is there any progress in these areas?

There is. This time I came here basically to co-chair with the Russian side the Ethiopian-Russian joint commission meeting which normally takes place every two years. This is our third joint commission meeting.

Were the present talks a success?

They were very much a success. They were satisfactory for both sides.
Is there potential for cooperation in the energy sector? In 2002, Russia and Ethiopia discussed the possibility of collaboration in gas and electricity production.

How do things stand in these spheres?

It was with the former Soviet Union that we started cooperation in gas and petroleum developments. As a result of changes in government in both countries there was a short break and some of the projects that had been started with the former Soviet Union were given to other countries, but presently we are working on new projects where explorations can be carried out. I think the potential for both countries to work together is very great.

During a meeting between Anatoly Kvashnin and Samora Yenus, the Russian and Ethiopian Army Chiefs of Staff, in the summer of 2002, several documents were signed on military technical cooperation between our countries. There was a lot of talk about purchasing Russian modern military equipment and about the modernization of the Ethiopian army. What is happening in this sphere at present?

The armaments of the Ethiopian army are largely from the former Soviet Union. So when the present government took office we decided not to change our armaments. It would be of no benefit for us to change our armaments and go for new purchases and we decided to stick to the Russian armaments and in this area we have a very good cooperation in terms of technical assistance and also in purchasing equipment according to international practice. So our relationship is going very well. And we have no serious complaints about this.

Tourism is an important industry for Ethiopia. Where do tourists to Ethiopia come from? What are the prospects for the Russian sector in Ethiopian tourism?

A large amount of tourists come from Europe and from the United States. And we'd like very much to attract Russian tourists, mainly for two reasons. The first reason is that the tourist sites of Ethiopia are historical and religious sites. And I think Russian tourists would be interested in seeing these historical and religious sites because the religion of both countries is Islamic-Christian and the large majority of the population is Christian and, primarily, Orthodox Christian. We have very old churches that might be as old as Christianity itself in Ethiopia which would be of interest to Russian tourists. So this is the first reason why we'd like to see Russian tourists coming. The second has to do with the good relations between the two countries and our friendly attitude of toward Russians. All Russian tourists would feel safe in Ethiopia because in terms of culture they won't feel alien and in terms of person-to-person relationships, Ethiopian people are very friendly towards the Russians because we have been closely working with them for many years, and we have over 20 or 25 thousand students who have studied in Russia.

Is Ethiopia going to undertake any practical steps to attract Russian tourists?
One thing we would be looking into is try to extend Ethiopian Airlines flights to Moscow. As you may know, Ethiopian Airlines currently flies to over 50 destinations in the world.

What would you say about today's relations between Russia and African countries?
Firstly, in historic terms the relationship between Russia and Africa has been very constructive and positive. Russia was not been part of colonialism in Africa, so there are no bad feelings between Russia and African countries in general. Even in the Cold War days when Russia was in Africa, basically Russia was not there to take any benefit from Africa. If there was any benefit it was for Africa. Russia has also been generous enough to write off debts owed by African countries. Russians are experts in mining, and also in the exploration of petroleum and excavation which African countries need, and also Russia has very good potential markets for the agricultural products that Africa is producing. So there is a mutual relationship between the two countries and I see many positive prospects for the relationship between our continent and Russia.

There has been a lot of talk about Ethiopia becoming one of the major flower exporters to Russia. Could you comment on this? If this information is true, do you think Ethiopia is ready to ensure stable direct supplies of flowers to the Russian market and to withstand competition from such major suppliers as, say, the Netherlands or Ecuador?

Very much so. First of all Ethiopia has only begun producing flowers during the last five years. We have about 1200 hectares of greenhouses covered with flowers. Our flowers are exported to 60 countries in the world. So maybe they are working more than our own ambassadors in terms of promoting the Ethiopian image. In terms of quality, the flowers that come from Ethiopia, are among the most beautiful in the world.

Gayaneh Seiranyan, RIA Novosti