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| Ambassador's Speech>2010 >101209 | |||||
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| at the National Day Reception on 9 December, 2010 |  |
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| Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good evening. Endemen Ameshachehu. I am most grateful to all of you for joining us this evening in celebrating the 77th birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. To be honest, His Majesty’s birthday is the 23rd of December. However, that date falls at a very busy time of year for many of our colleagues and counterparts. Therefore, we celebrate our national day in early December every year before the festive season is in full swing. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Embassy of Japan here in Ethiopia uses #23 diplomatic license plate for its vehicles, which dates back to 1955 when Japan resumed its relations with Ethiopia. However, it was actually 80 years ago, in 1930, when Japan and Ethiopia first established diplomatic relations by concluding the Treaty of Amity and Commerce. This marked one of the first diplomatic relations Japan opened with an African country. In 1936, the Japanese Embassy was opened in Addis Ababa. Even though there was a break in our relations due to WWII, we have enjoyed a long history of exchanges and cooperation between our two peoples. This includes personal friendships and official exchanges between our two royal families, which continued until the early 1970s. This year, 2010, happens to be the 50th anniversary of the official visit to Ethiopia of the then Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Princess, now Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. The newly married Imperial couple at that time was very, very warmly received in this country in 1960. Their Majesties still vividly remember the Palace where they stayed with the lovely Japanese garden, the impressive places they visited, the charming people they met and so on. These are the memories Their Majesties shared with me when I was received in audience at the Imperial Palace before my departure for Ethiopia. Their Majesties are very fond of this country and the Ethiopian people. Ethiopia is without doubt an integral part of their happy memories of royal diplomacy, even today. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Today we enjoy strong ties at all levels with Ethiopia, not only between our two governments and through various ODA projects but also in academia, business, and grassroots exchanges, including tourism. Blessing this continued friendship and cooperation between Japan and Ethiopia, and wishing the good health of His Majesty the Emperor, may I now propose a toast? Kanpai! Thank you for your attention. Now, I invite you all to enjoy this evening with some Japanese cuisine and hospitality. Amesegenalehu. |
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