Addis Ababa, March 14, 2025.- The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, concluded this Friday a successful official visit to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, on the occasion of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
During his stay, the Cuban Foreign Minister developed a broad high-level agenda, which reaffirmed the historic ties of friendship, solidarity and cooperation that have united Cuba and Ethiopia for five decades.
Among the most significant moments of the visit, the solemn tribute to the 163 Cuban combatants who fell in defense of Ethiopia's sovereignty, held in the Ethiopia-Cuba Friendship Park, stands out. In an emotional ceremony, accompanied by Ethiopian authorities, members of the Ethiopia-Cuba Friendship Association and Cuban residents, the Foreign Minister paid tribute to these heroes of internationalism, ratifying Cuba's unwavering commitment to solidarity among peoples. As a symbol of permanent friendship, a commemorative tree was planted for the 50 years of bilateral relations.
During his visit, Rodríguez Parrilla was received by the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, to whom he conveyed an affectionate greeting from Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, and expressed the willingness to strengthen bilateral cooperation in strategic areas such as agriculture, health, education, biotechnology and water resources.
The Foreign Minister also held meetings with the Ministers of Health, Culture and Sports and Innovation and Technology of Ethiopia, in which ideas and agreements were exchanged to expand bilateral cooperation in these key sectors, which are fundamental both for social development and for the strengthening of ties between the two countries.
In the multilateral arena, the Cuban Minister met with the President of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, to whom he conveyed President Díaz-Canel's congratulations on his recent election, and reaffirmed Cuba's commitment to continue expanding cooperation with Africa and supporting the just causes of the peoples of the continent.
A relevant aspect of the visit was the signing of two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to promote collaboration in the areas of technology and innovation, and sports development, signed by ministers from both governments, in an official ceremony that was attended by the Cuban Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry.
Minister Rodríguez Parrilla also held a meeting with Adem Farah, Deputy Prime Minister and Vice President of the Prosperity Party (PP), highlighting the importance of strengthening ties between political organizations and continuing to work for the development of both nations.
The Foreign Minister also held a meeting with the Speaker of the House of People's Representatives of Ethiopia, Tagesse Chafo, where both sides agreed on the importance of strengthening parliamentary ties and exploring new areas of cooperation.
The visit ratified the firm will of both governments to deepen bilateral relations and South-South cooperation, and to keep alive the ties of brotherhood, solidarity and mutual respect that have characterized the relationship between Cuba and Ethiopia for 50 years.
(EmbaCuba-Etiopía)