Ethiopia–Mexico relations

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Ethiopia-Mexico relations
Map indicating locations of Ethiopia and Mexico

Ethiopia
Mexico

The nations of Ethiopia and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1949.[1] Both nations are members of the Group of 24 and the United Nations.

History[edit]

Plaque commemorating Emperor Haile Selassie's visit to Mexico

Ethiopia was the only nation in Africa to have never been colonized by a European country. In 1935, Italian troops entered Ethiopia and occupied the country for the next five years. This was known as the Second Italo-Ethiopian War. At the League of Nations, Mexico was one of only five member-states to condemn the Italian invasion and occupation of Ethiopia. Because of this, Ethiopia kept its seat in the assembly, and it remained a member of the League.[2] A few years after World War II, diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Mexico were established in 1949.[1]

In 1954, Emperor Haile Selassie became the first ever head of state from an African nation to pay an official visit to Mexico and met with President Adolfo Ruiz Cortines.[3] In 1963, both nations opened embassies in each other's capitals, respectively; however, Mexico closed its embassy in Ethiopia in 1989 due to financial reasons and Ethiopia followed suit in 1990. In 2007, Mexico re-opened its embassy in Addis Ababa.[1]

To commemorate Mexico's assistance to Ethiopia during its occupation by Italy; Ethiopia named a center square in Addis Ababa "Mexico Square". On the 22nd of June, 1954, a traffic circle in Mexico City was named "Plaza Etiopía", and in August 1980, a metro station in Mexico City was built and named Metro Etiopía Station. In 2010, the Mexican government donated a replica of an Olmec colossal head to Ethiopia where it was placed in Mexico Square.[2] In September 2015, the Ethiopian capital inaugurated its Light Rail system and has a "Mexico Station".

In May 2010, Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs, Patricia Espinosa, visited Ethiopia with the purpose of promoting issues related to the Sixteenth UN Conference for Climate Change (COP16) as well as issues of bilateral and regional interest.[4] In July 2010, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi arrived to Cancún to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference.[5] In June 2012, Prime Minister Zenawi paid a second visit to Mexico to participate in the G-20 summit in Los Cabos.[6] In 2017, Ethiopian Airlines launched cargo services between both nations.[7]

In 2019, Mexican Foreign Undersecretary Julián Ventura paid a visit to Ethiopia to participate in the second meeting of the Consultation Mechanism on Matters of Common Interest between both nations.[8]

In 2024, both nations celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations.[9]

High-level visits[edit]

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi attending a G-20 summit in Los Cabos, Mexico along with host, President Felipe Calderón in 2012.

High-level visits from Ethiopia to Mexico[3][5][6][4]

High-level visits from Mexico to Ethiopia[4][8]

  • Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa (2010)
  • Director General for Africa and Middle East Sara Valdés (2012)
  • Director General for Africa and the Middle East Jorge Álvarez Fuentes (2018)
  • Foreign Undersecretary Julián Ventura (2019)

Bilateral agreements and scholarship programs[edit]

Both nations have signed a few bilateral agreements such as an Agreement to Establish Consultations on Mutual Interests (2007) and an Agreement on the Elimination of Visa Requirements for Diplomatic Passport Holders (2009).[1] The Mexican government offers each year scholarships for nationals of Ethiopia to study postgraduate studies at Mexican higher education institutions.[9]

Trade relations[edit]

In 2023, two-way trade between Ethiopia and Mexico amounted to US$10.1 million.[10] Ethiopia's main exports to Mexico include: clothing, shoes, air pumps and vacuum pumps; and coffee. Mexico's main exports to Ethiopia include: medicine, seeds, alcohol, electrical wires and cables.[10]

Resident diplomatic missions[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Relaciones México-Etiopía - pages 4-6 (in Spanish)
  2. ^ a b History of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Ethiopia (in Spanish)
  3. ^ a b Visita del Emperador Haile Selassie I a México (in Spanish)
  4. ^ a b c La diversificación de la política exterior mexicana en África, Medio Oriente y Asia Central (in Spanish)
  5. ^ a b Fulfill Copenhagen commitments to show good faith in the process, says Meles Zenawi
  6. ^ a b China urges bigger role for developing countries
  7. ^ Ethiopian Airlines sería la Primera Aerolínea Africana en Volar a México (in Spanish)
  8. ^ a b Undersecretary Ventura Concludes His Visit to Ethiopia
  9. ^ a b Unveiling the bonds and opportunities between Mexico and Ethiopia
  10. ^ a b Data México: Ethiopia
  11. ^ Embassy of Ethiopia to the United States
  12. ^ Embassy of Mexico in Addis Ababa
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