​​​​​​​Malta Views Ethiopia Key Partner in its Efforts to Strengthen Ties with Africa 

Addis Ababa November 23/2024 (ENA) Malta's Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ronald Micallef, emphasized that Ethiopia’s strategic location and growing influence in the Horn of Africa make it a vital partner for Malta in advancing its diplomatic, economic, and cultural engagement across the continent.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Ambassador Micallef explained that as part of its broader strategy to strengthen ties with Africa, Malta recognizes Ethiopia's political and economic importance, particularly in key sectors such as trade, education, and tourism.

This partnership, according to the ambassador, aligns with Malta’s broader goal of expanding its international presence and fostering stronger ties with African nations.

He noted a deep connection between the two countries in the past, which has been further strengthened by the opening of Malta’s embassy in Addis Ababa three years ago.

"The opening of the embassy coincides with Malta's strategy for Africa, where we define Ethiopia as a key partner in our engagement with the continent," the ambassador said. 

"The very fact that we have proximity to the continent of Africa lends itself to trade, political engagement, and connects us in education, science, and research."

The ambassador stated that Malta hosted a successful trade delegation to Ethiopia in April, with 15 Maltese companies visiting Addis Ababa. 

As a result, several companies have returned to Ethiopia to follow up on their exploratory visit, he said, adding that Malta is also actively exploring opportunities in health, artificial intelligence, and education, particularly in technical vocational education.

“On the multilateral front, we are highly connected, particularly through the United Nations. Malta, as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, consults regularly with Ethiopia on various international issues of importance in these challenging times. We also collaborate closely on key issues such as climate change, armed conflict, human rights, and education."

Beyond the bilateral ties, Malta engages with Ethiopia multilaterally within the EU framework, further enhancing the collaboration and strengthening the overall partnership between the two nations.

Micallef emphasized the similarities between Malta and Ethiopia, noting that the two countries are not far apart in their goals, despite their differences in size. Ethiopia’s population of over 120 million and Malta’s small size are complemented by shared values, such as peaceful coexistence and trade relations.

Malta is also looking into joint ventures in sectors like film production, citing a recent delegation from Ethiopia that visited Malta to explore opportunities for international film collaborations. 

Additionally, the two countries are exploring partnerships in tourism, with Malta’s Institute of Tourism Studies in regular contact with Ethiopian counterparts.

Cultural heritage is another area where the two nations share common ground, as evidenced by the similarities between the castles of Gondar in Ethiopia and those in Valletta, the capital of Malta. This connection opens up opportunities for cultural preservation and collaboration, he said.

The ambassador highlighted that Ethiopia’s importance extends beyond bilateral ties, noting its role as the capital of Africa and its connection with the African Union. 

According to Micallef, the recent high-level visits, including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Malta, have solidified the relationship between the two countries, reinforcing the growing friendship and collaboration.

The ambassador also recalled Malta’s historical connection with Ethiopia, particularly regarding the introduction of coffee into Europe through Malta during the time of the Knights of St. John.